| Arora
was most critical of the Maharashtra government which
increased the excise duties on wine imports across the
board from the existing irrational duties of 150% which
had come into being on 10th July after the ACDs were
withdrawn by the central government a week earlier to
that date.
The duty before the colossal increase was a reasonable
Rs.200 a liter. The speculation was rife that it would
be brought down to a more reasonable Rs.300 a liter.
What Arora found most upsetting was that the duty on
the imports of expensive liquor including whisky and
single malts etc was brought down further to 75%.
Citing this as the worst and most apparent, obscene
kind of lobbying he felt that this would deprive the
middle class consumers of Maharashtra of decent quality
wines and either force them to prefer whisky drinking
or the bootleggers will thrive in the state. This was
odd when the whole world was going towards wine. In
fact, is actively promoting wine consumption with the
fiscal policies due to the health benefits.
He was equally critical of EU withdrawing the case
prematurely and selling out the wine producers in favour
of the wine producers of EU. He hoped that the US will
continue the campaign at the WTO.
He however, praised the Maharashtra government for
being a progressive state and allowing the supermarkets
to sell wine, hoping the imported wines will also be
allowed to be sold at these places.
While supporting the government to protect the case
of the Indian producers, the policy only helps them
partially while depriving the import of fine wines.
Arora was however, very optimistic about the continued
growth of the sector despite the road blocks. He appealed
to the government to consider dropping the customs duty
on the premium wines to 100% to make them more affordable.
He also appreciated the co-operation extended by the
Delhi excise officials to the wine availability at the
IFE as well as IWC. Without their active support Shows
like IFE are not possibly going to flourish. A senior
excise official at the show later informed Arora that
the department appreciated the efforts of institutions
like IWA and IFE as they are helping to improve the
consumption of wine which means more revenues for the
department. Therefore, within the rules, they are willing
to extend any co-operations to such organizational efforts.
Addressing the audience in chaste Hindi, The Chief
Guest, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Labour
etc., Mr. Mangat Singhal told the audience that the
middle classes were increasing in numbers and they look
forward to better quality products, where the money
was not much of a constraint. Even the women were taking
to drinking wine which was getting more popular now
anyway. Appreciating the effort being made by Indian
Wine Academy to promote wine, he was optimist that the
consumption will increase.
In reply to a TV reporter, he said that he was happy
with the decision of Supreme Court yesterday allowing
women to be bartenders. ‘The Indian women have
advanced in education, professional contributions. They
are ahead in all filed including the TV reporting. Whey
should they not be allowed in this area too?’
he exclaimed.
The IFE- India 207 was inaugurated also by the Turkish
Ambassador who talked about the growing relations with
the two countries. The commercial counselor of Italy,
Mr. Nicolo Tossoni was very happy about the 43% growth
in Indo Italian business last year. ICE is a major participant
this year with 350 sq mtrs. of space.
The show seemed quite successful with the MD of Montgomery
International estimating a visit by about 1900 people
and hoping there would be more on the second day.
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