Horticulture Minister Narinder Bragta said that the state government is considering action against Mumbai-based winemaker Indage Vintners for its failure to start two wineries in Himachal for over a decade. He added that company also failed to pay for the prime land provided to it by the state for setting up the wineries. State government has already issued two show-cause notices to the company. It is learned that the company officials will meet the horticulture department officials in Shimla on Monday.
Allotted land 55.7 bighas Nagwain in Mandi were given for the grape wine unit and 14.10 bighas at Pragatinagar in Shimla district for an apple winery are still in company’s possession. As per the agreement signed in 2000 between the HP government and Indage, Indage and its partner have 30% share each, the state government and state-run Himachal Pradesh Marketing Corporation 10% share each and the rest of 20% were allotted to the growers. In 2005, Virbhadra Singh led government signed a new agreement and government withdrew its share. It’s learned that government is planning to cancel the agreement.
