Shillong, August 28, 2026: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday inaugurated the new office building of the Excise Department at Lower Lachumiere, Shillong, bringing several key wings of the department under one campus.
Excise Minister Brening A. Sangma, Chief Secretary Dr Shakil Ahammad, senior officers and staff of the department attended the inauguration.
Speaking at the programme, Sangma said the new building fulfilled a long-standing demand of the department, which had been functioning from temporary structures for more than 50 years.
He said the project forms part of the government’s broader effort to improve administrative infrastructure across the State, including schools, police stations and outposts, block offices, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres and sub-centres.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the growth in revenue generated by the Excise Department, saying collections had increased from around ₹180 crore eight years ago to more than ₹500 crore at present.
He said the government had taken a major decision to combine excise and VAT, which is expected to further boost revenue. Sangma referred to the Cabinet’s August 2026 decision to fold 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 reforms would be implemented in a sustainable manner without disrupting the existing ecosystem and while taking the interests of stakeholders into account.
Expressing optimism over future growth, Sangma said the department has the potential to cross ₹1,000 crore in revenue.
He also stressed that excise revenue contributes to funding social welfare programmes, including the construction of schools and hospitals and initiatives related to safe motherhood.
Sangma urged officials and staff not to underestimate the wider impact of their work, saying revenue generated by the department ultimately supports education, healthcare and other public services.
The Chief Minister called on employees to treat the new office as their “second home” and work with commitment and dedication to achieve the department’s goals.
The new office building has been developed at a total cost of ₹14.55 crore.
It has been designed to bring the department’s major operational units under one roof, including the laboratory, branch offices, Integrated Excise Management System and the office of the Commissioner.
The government said the single-campus arrangement is expected to reduce delays and information gaps caused by operations from dispersed premises. It is also expected to make it easier for licensees and citizens, who previously had to visit different locations for related services.
