CL-II Licence Maharashtra — Country Liquor Retail Shop

What is a CL-II licence?

A CL-II licence under the Maharashtra Country Liquor Rules, 1973 (MCLR) is the licence for a retail country liquor shop in Maharashtra. It authorises the off-the-shop sale of country liquor — sourced from a CL-I manufacturer licensee for the designated zone — to permit-holders and the public, subject to MRP regulation and the zonal supply framework.

CL-II is the backbone of Maharashtra's country liquor retail distribution. Supply moves directly from the CL-I country-liquor manufacturer → CL-II retail shop → consumer, with strict zonal boundaries and price controls at each stage.

Legal basis

• Section 139 of the Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949 — rule-making authority.
• Maharashtra Country Liquor Rules, 1973 — Rule 5 (MRP regulation), Rule 12 (minimum & maximum pricing), and the retail-shop operating conditions.
• Periodicity and Fees Rules, 1996 — fee schedule and renewal cycle.
• Government Order dated 21.09.2019 — transferred CL-II licensing authority to the District Collector.

Who issues the CL-II licence?

Since 21 September 2019, the District Collector is the licensing authority for CL-II licences. The Collector grants, renews, suspends and cancels CL-II licences through the District Collectorate (Excise branch), with the Superintendent of State Excise providing operational oversight.

MRP regulation under Rule 5

Rule 5 of the Maharashtra Country Liquor Rules, 1973 regulates the maximum retail price (MRP) of country liquor sold through CL-II shops. The MRP is notified by the Commissioner of State Excise and must be prominently displayed at the shop. Selling above the notified MRP is a licence condition violation and attracts penalty under the Rules.

MRP control is one of the signature features of Maharashtra's country liquor regime — it keeps country liquor affordable for low-income consumers (the policy intent) while giving the State a predictable excise duty + VAT revenue base.

Zonal supply framework

Maharashtra is divided into country-liquor supply zones. Each zone has a designated CL-I country-liquor manufacturer, and every CL-II shop in that zone sources its stock exclusively from that CL-I manufacturer. Cross-zone sourcing requires specific permits and is tightly controlled to prevent diversion.

The zone, the designated CL-I manufacturer supplier, and the shop's monthly quota are endorsed on the CL-II licence. Any change (change of zone, change of supplier, quota variation) requires prior approval of the Collector.

Quota

CL-II shops operate on a monthly quota system — a maximum quantity of country liquor the shop can lift from the CL-I manufacturer in a calendar month. Quotas are set by the Collector based on local population, consumption pattern and historical lifting data. Lifting above quota requires specific sanction.

Related licences

• CL-I — country liquor manufacturer (zonal exclusive). Supplies directly to CL-II retail shops and CL-III bars in the designated zone.
• CL-II — retail off-the-shop (this page).
• CL-III — country liquor restaurant/bar (on-premise consumption).