Excise Grinch reins in Xmas revelry for many

HYDERABAD: The excise department has turned into a Grinch for 700-odd Anglo-Indian families in the city who have discontinued their generations-old tradition of wine brewing during Christmas, fearing crackdown from authorities.For the past few years, the state excise officials have been seizing wine brewed in the homes of Anglo-Indian families in the city, claiming that it is illegal to 'manufacture' liquor at home and that it must be purchased from retail stores only. According to a biblical legend, Jesus Christ in 'The Last Supper' asked his disciples to eat bread and drink wine as a symbol of his flesh and blood. Wine is therefore brewed at home by fermentation of grapes, a process which could take over a month to produce a few litres of wine.However, following the crackdown by officials, the Anglo-Indian community in the city is wary of getting on the wrong side of the law and is therefore purchasing wine from stores. "Wine brewing at home is a symbolic ritual being observed in my family for the past three generations. We were proud of it since it is a cumbersome process. Not everyone can brew good wine," said national cyclist Maxwell Trevor, whose house was raided by excise officials few years ago which led him breaking the family tradition.Nevertheless, members of the community admitted that there are some who have been selling wine for commercial purposes, which is punishable as per the State Excise Act, which possibly triggered the spate of raids."There were a couple of rotten apples. But the entire community cannot be penalized. Women are now petrified to prepare the drink at home," said Warren LaTouche, president, Anglo Indian Association in Hyderabad."There has always been a sense of pride amongst families for whom wine brewing has been a traditional ritual. Targeting families for such a practice is uncalled for," said Isidore Philips.It is a double blow for revelers as well, who are not only missing out on a homely Christmas tradition, but also having to shell out more to purchase the customary bottle of wine as the state government had hiked the value added tax (VAT) (80% ) and excise duty (20% to 28%) on Indian wines, early this year.Meanwhile, the excise department said that the church and families have to take permission from the department for the preparation of the wine. "Manufacturing any sort of alcohol at home is prohibited. As far as making wine for Christmas is concerned, the church and families have already taken permission from us. Their requests are being processed," said MMA Farooqui, deputy commissioner, excise, Hyderabad.