Uttarakhand for more investments in wineries

The Uttarakhand government is seeking more investments in wineries of the state.

The government has already received two proposals worth Rs 5 crore. But top officials said it was not enough as it wanted more proposals which would benefit the horticulture industry in a big way.

Among the two proposals, Delhi-based Biotech and Food System Pvt Ltd is setting up a winery at Haldwani township of Kumaon region with an investment of Rs 2-3 crore while talks are being held with Mukund Prasad, a Delhi-based hotlier, for setting up another winery in the state also with an investment of Rs 2-3 crore.

The two proposals come after Uttarakhand announced a new wine policy last year by bringing fruit-based wine industry under the thrust sector.

Under the policy, licences would be provided for establishing new wineries and the general merchants who have the verified turnover of Rs 5 lakh per annum by the Department of Commerce are eligible to get the wine selling licenses, top government officials said.

The new wine policy comes with an optimism that this sector holds great promise as the fruit wine industry may benefit the fruit growers especially in horticulture states like Uttarakhand where the unmarketable surplus produce is available for making these nutritious wines which otherwise go wasted to a large extent.

The government intends to give thrust to the wine industry as the consumption of country liquor containing carcinogenic and toxic elements is causing serious health problems to the people.

"Our fruits are being wasted because of certain unavoidable factors. But these fruits can replace the hazardous country liquor," said an official.

For attracting investments in the wineries, the state government is giving certain incentives which include single window system to procure new licenses and other fiscal incentives similar to food processing industries.

The State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (SIDCUL), a state government enterprise promoting industries in the hill state, has been given the task to attract investments as well as boost the overall growth of the sector.