SHILLONG : Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday inaugurated the new office building of the Excise Department at Lower Lachaumiere, bringing together key operations of a department that had functioned from temporary structures for more than 50 years.
Excise Minister Brening A Sangma, Chief Secretary Dr Shakil Ahammad and senior officers and staff attended the inauguration.
Calling the building a long-standing requirement, Conrad described the occasion as a milestone for the department.
“It gives me joy and satisfaction to inaugurate this building which was a long-standing demand of the department,” he said.
Excise revenue has grown sharply over the past eight years, from around ₹180 crore to more than ₹500 crore, with the government now looking at further growth. The Cabinet approved in August the folding of VAT on alcoholic liquor into the Excise Duty regime through amendments to Section 44 and Schedule V of the Meghalaya Value Added Tax Act.
The Chief Minister said the reforms were being introduced without disturbing the existing ecosystem and expressed hope that Excise revenue could eventually cross ₹1,000 crore.
Revenue generated through the department also supports government programmes, including construction of schools and hospitals and safe motherhood initiatives.
“The revenue generated by the department helps save lives and educate children,” Conrad told officials, urging them not to underestimate the importance of their work.
The new building was completed at a cost of ₹14.55 crore and brings the department’s laboratory, Enforcement Wing, Integrated Excise Management System and Commissioner’s office under one campus. The arrangement is expected to reduce delays caused by different wings operating from separate locations and make it easier for licensees and citizens to access related services.
Urging officials to make full use of the new facility, Conrad told them to treat the building as their “second home” and work with commitment towards the department’s targets.
“The department has the potential to grow further and contribute more towards the development of the state,” he said.
