Shillong: The Meghalaya government has temporarily suspended the issuance of licenses for new wine stores and bonded warehouses.
Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla stated that this decision was made to facilitate the introduction of a new mechanism aimed at streamlining the licensing process.
“We have temporarily halted the issuance of licenses. A new system will be put in place, and licenses will be issued only after a thorough study,” Shylla told reporters.
He further mentioned that officials are actively assessing the situation to determine where additional wine shops may be needed and where their numbers should be restricted.
The minister explained that the decision follows complaints from existing wine shop owners, who claim that excessive competition has affected their sales.
“In response to these complaints, we have paused issuing new licenses. A detailed study will be conducted before making any further decisions. If we find that a certain area has very few wine shops but high demand, we may issue new licenses. However, the required documentation must be in place before proceeding,” he clarified.
Regarding wine stores near educational institutions and places of worship, Shylla assured that the department is reviewing the matter but emphasized that no new licenses have been issued.
He added that licenses are granted based on a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the local headman.
“We respect public sentiments, and since the headman is elected by the community and understands the needs of the locality, his approval is essential. This also ensures that any future concerns or opposition from the public can be addressed through discussions with him,” he explained.
When asked about existing wine stores, Shylla confirmed that they will continue to operate and any relocation will be considered based on requests from owners. He also noted that district-level officers are conducting regular site visits to monitor the situation.
