(a) whether there is any National Policy on production, manufacturing and consumption of wine
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to de-link wine from
the alcoholic drinks and promote wine as a health-drink in
the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the steps being taken by the Government to
promote wine sector?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES(SHRI SUBODH KANT SAHAI)
(a) to (e): Alcoholic beverages including wine falls within
the jurisdiction of States under the Constitution. As such,
there is no National Policy on wine. However, keeping in
view the aspects of value addition to grapes, potential of
higher income to farmers, opportunities for employment
generation, possibilities of weaning people away from hard
liquor and countering large imports of wine by increased
domestic production, Government of India offers financial
assistance for development of the wine sector in the
country. Moreover, the Joint Working Group consisting of
relevant Central Ministries & State Governments, set up by
the Government of India, has recommended in its draft report
delinking wine & beer from hard liquor for excise policy and
taxation purposes.