Nashik/New Delhi: The demand for revival of the Indian Grape Processing Board (IGPB) has gained fresh momentum following representations by the Wine Growers Association of India (WINEGAI) and intervention by Shirdi MP Bhausaheb Wakchaure.
WINEGAI Pushes for IGPB Revival
Adv. Rajashree Ingle, former CEO of WINEGAI and currently working as a consultant in wine-industry policy advocacy and legal affairs, forwarded WINEGAI’s representation seeking the revival of IGPB to MP Wakchaure.
Representing Shirdi, which is located close to Maharashtra’s key Nashik grape-growing and wine-producing belt, Wakchaure understood the concerns of the industry and took up the matter at the Central Government level.
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Centre Responds to Industry Representation
The issue has now moved forward with Union Minister Chirag Paswan formally responding to the representation. The response has brought the long-standing demand for IGPB revival back into the policy discussion.
The wine industry believes that reviving IGPB could provide a dedicated institutional platform for better coordination among grape growers, wineries and government agencies.
Why IGPB Revival Matters
A revived IGPB could play an important role in areas such as research, grape processing, quality standards, market development and exports. Industry stakeholders believe a dedicated institutional mechanism could help address challenges faced by both grape growers and wineries while strengthening India’s position in the global wine market.
Rajashree Ingle Calls for Collective Industry Action
Commenting on the development, Ms. Rajashree Ingle said:
“Minister Chirag Paswan’s response is an important opening, particularly as the concerns of the industry have now been formally acknowledged. The industry should come forward collectively for a constructive discussion with the Minister on IGPB revival and the challenges presently affecting grape growers and wineries. This is the right opportunity to convert acknowledgement into policy action.”
Fresh Opportunity for Maharashtra’s Wine Sector
The development is being viewed as a renewed opportunity for Maharashtra’s grape and wine sector to place its concerns directly before the Centre.
Industry stakeholders now hope that the latest response will lead to further discussions and eventually pave the way for a structured institutional mechanism to support India’s grape-processing and wine industry.
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