Staff Reporter

Shillong, Oct 1: Minister in-charge Excise Kyrmen Shylla today said the government wants to make Meghalaya become one of the biggest fruit wine producer states in the region.

“We want to increase it (wine production) and we want to make our state one of the biggest fruit wine producers. That will take some time,” Shylla told reporters.

“But it is very nice to see our farmers, who previously use to throw the fruits because they cannot sell it, now they have a place to utilize it by making it as fruit wine. There is huge change and huge profit to them,” he added.

The minister also informed that at present, the department is extending support to the fruit wine makers by giving them a place where they can learn to make wine.

“We are giving them (this) support, but it is not enough (we need to do more to increase the production),” Shylla said.

On whether the government would consider legalizing local made liquor, the minister said, “What is the process to go ahead, I cannot comment on this. The reason is that this is made out of rice so as of now we all know rice is our staple food, so I really don’t know.”

He also emphasized the need to conduct a study on the subject before the government takes such a decision.

“There should be a study on this. After this, maybe we can go ahead if we feel that it can be done. I would love to and by doing that we will have the power with us to do the trace and track so that there will be enough content of liquor or spirit to be added so that it will not affect the health of the people,” Shylla stated.