Shillong, August 28: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Mr. Conrad K Sangma, today inaugurated the new office building of the Excise department at Lower Lachaumiere, in a program held at the office premises. Also present during the inauguration were Minister, Excise, Brening A Sangma, Chief Secretary, Dr Shakil Ahammad and senior officers and staff of the Excise department.
Speaking during the occasion, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, said that it was a day of celebration for the department and the government to inaugurate the building for an office that had been functioning from temporary structures for over 50 years. “It gives me joy and satisfaction to inaugurate this building which was been a long-standing demand of the department,” he said.
He also added that the department has been contributing significantly to the revenue of the state also informing that the new building is part of a broader infrastructure improvement initiative and highlighted the administrative infrastructure improvements made over the past eight years that included school renovations, police stations and outpost, block offices, PHCs, CHCs and sub centres.
On revenue growth and reforms in the Excise department the Chief Minister observed that the department has seen a significant increase in revenue from about Rs 180 Crs eight years ago to over Rs 500 Crs during the present times. “A major decision has been made to combine the excise and VAT which is expected to further increase revenue,”
The Chief Minister said adding that in August 2026 the Cabinet approved the folding of VAT on alcoholic liquor into the Excise Duty regime, by amending Section 44 and Schedule V of the Meghalaya Value Added Tax Act.
He also informed that the focus is on implementing reforms that are sustainable and do not disrupt the existing ecosystem ensuring that all stakeholders are taken care of. He also hoped that the department will soon reach over Rs 1000 Crs in revenue highlighting the potential for future growth.
The Chief Minister also elaborated the impact of the excise revenue on social programs informing that the revenue generated from the department is used to fund various social welfare programs including construction of schools, hospitals and safe motherhood programs.
He encouraged the officers and staff of the department not to undermine the impact of their work emphasizing that the revenue generated by the department helps save lives and educate children.
He concluded his speech by urging the officials to see the new building as their second home and work with full commitment and dedication to achieve the department’s goals and targets.
The project has successfully been developed now at a total project cost of ₹14.55 Crs. The building has been designed to bring the operating arms of the department into a single campus. The new building will house the laboratory, the Enforcement Wing, the Integrated Excise Management System and the office of the Commissioner within one building removing the loss of time and information that occurs when a regulatory office operates from dispersed premises. The single campus will also improve the interface for licensees and citizens, who have until now had to approach different locations for connected transactions.
