Thiruvananthapuram: The Department of Industries has decided to grant permit to wine manufacturing units in the state. Minister E P Jayarajan made it clear in an exclusive interview to Mathrubhumi. The wine making will be allowed as part of the scheme of manufacturing value added products from farm produce. The only way to overcome the present crisis is to improve the local market and make value added products, the minister said.
After the lockdown, fruit producers faced a loss of Rs 319 crore. Permision will be granted for the units that produces wine from fruits. A project for making wine from cashew fruit was already granted license. Wine can also be produced from banana and pineapple also, the minister said.
The minister added that the government will start a microfinance corporation under government control for providing loan for low interest rate for the new entrepreneurs. Many financial companies levy upto 18 percent interest and this is the reason why enterprises are struggling to survive. The financial corporation under government will be able to grant loans for zero interest or low interest rate, he said.
The most important step taken to overcome the ongoing crisis is the amendment of law to enable the industrialists to start enterprises without license for three years. Considering the situation during COVID times, the new ventures that applied for license were granted the same within one week. New enterprises will be started with partnership of repatriated NRIs, the minister stated.
A new project called ‘Subhiksha Keralam’ has been announced coordinating seven departments in order to increase production in agriculture sector. The Department of Industries is responsible for starting enterprises of value added products from farm produce. The department has planned a detailed project to provide financial help and land for this purpose. Wine making is only one part of the scheme, the minister said.