Shillong, Jan 4: Meghalaya Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla on Tuesday said the department’s revenue collection is likely to be affected if lockdown is re-imposed in the state following detection of the five cases of Omicron variant of the COVID-19.

“No doubt if a lockdown will happen (again) in our state, our revenue collection will come down…,” Shylla told journalists.

“(Although) it fluctuates from quarter to quarter and from year to year but most probably Rs 250 to Rs 300 crore revenue collections used to be there,” he said.

When asked, Shylla informed that the department is planning to continue with the home delivery of liquor to ensure the revenue collection is stabilized.

“At least something will be there with the home delivery (services) and protocols have to be strictly followed – that direction will come from the state if lockdown will take place,” he added.

On the other hand, the Minister said that the state government is committed to protect its citizens from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our concern is the health and safety of our people as this is more important than our revenue collection,” he said while asserting, “No doubt, we require revenue to stabilize the economy of the state but whatever decision taken by the state government in as far as the COVID-19 restrictions are concerned, it is for the safety of the people of the state.”

He also urged the citizens to cooperate with the state government by strictly following COVID protocols and appropriate behavior even as he further asserted that having lots of money would be meaningless if precious lives are lost.

Shylla further assured that the department is trying to find out ways and means to ensure the revenue generation of the state is not affected due to the ongoing pandemic.