MAHARASHTRA EXCISE DEPARTMENT — OFFICIAL DOCUMENT ANALYSIS

Document Type: Government Resolution (Shashan Nirnay) — Extension of Neera Producer License

Reference Number: MYS-0612/Pr.Cr.211/RAOUSHSU-3, dated 16 May 2017

Issued By: Government of Maharashtra, Home Department (Gृह विभाग), Ministry, Mumbai

Portal ID: 1372

Effective Date: 30 June 2018 (extension period end date)

Digital Reference Code: 201705161527122429

SUMMARY

This Government Resolution grants a 5-year extension to three Neera (palm sap) producing organizations to continue selling packaged Neera within their respective revenue department jurisdictions on a pilot/experimental basis under conditions prescribed in the previous GR dated 6 September 2014. The extension is granted until 30 June 2018. The Commissioner of State Excise must review the matter every three months.

KEY PROVISIONS

1. BENEFICIARY ORGANIZATIONS — 5-Year Extension to 30 June 2018:

The following three organizations are granted extension to sell packaged Neera within their revenue department jurisdiction areas on pilot basis, subject to conditions stipulated in GR dated 6 September 2014:

• 1) Kalpateeth Neera Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha Maryadt (Registered Cooperative)

  • Location: Malipur (माळीनगर), Taluka Malshiras (ता.माळनशरस), District Solapur (नज.सोलापूर)
  • Associated Farmers:
    • Shri Nilkanth Bhogale
    • Shri Ajit Girame
    • Shri Bhaausaheb Khatmare

• 2) Krushi Vigyan Kendra Baramati (Agricultural Science Centre)

  • Location: Baramati (बारामती), District Pune (नज.पुणे)
  • Associated Farmers:
    • Shri Rajendra Tanpure
    • Shri Sadashiv Sathav

• 3) Krushi Seva Enterprises (Agricultural Services Enterprise)

  • Location: Murbad (मुरबाड), District Thane (नज.ठाणे)

2. ORIGINAL PILOT PERIOD:

• Original permission granted: 30 June 2015
• Reference: GR dated 6 September 2014

3. EXTENDED PERIOD:

• Extended until: 30 June 2018 (5-year extension approved)

4. CONDITIONS & RESTRICTIONS:

• Sale only within revenue department jurisdiction of respective districts
• Packaged Neera only — not bulk/loose sale
• Pilot/experimental basis (प्रायोगिक तत्वावर) — provisional authorization
• Subject to all conditions prescribed in GR dated 6 September 2014
• No changes to Neera policy without prior authorization from Khadi & Gramodyog Department

5. REVIEW & OVERSIGHT:

• Commissioner of State Excise, Maharashtra shall review the matter every 3 months (Clause 3)
• Divisional Deputy Commissioner, State Excise (all divisions) to supervise implementation

6. ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS:

• GR published on Maharashtra Government website: www.maharashtra.gov.in
• Digital authentication applied
• Issued under authority of Governor of Maharashtra

WHO IS AFFECTED

License Type: Neera Producer License (निरा उत्पादक अनुज्ञप्ती) — Form E-4

Beneficiaries:

• Cooperative Neera Producer Organization (Kalpateeth Solapur)
• Agricultural Science Centre (Baramati, Pune)
• Agricultural Services Enterprise (Murbad, Thane)
• Associated farmer members of these three organizations

Geographic Scope:

• Solapur District (Organization 1)
• Pune District (Organization 2)
• Thane District (Organization 3)

Sales Restriction: Within own revenue department jurisdiction only — not across state or outside assigned areas

IMPORTANT NOTES & CONDITIONS

1. POLICY SAFEGUARDS:

• Packed Neera sale in urban malls and food stores was not approved (rejected concern)
• No expansion beyond pilot scope
• Khadi & Gramodyog Department clearance mandatory for any policy change

2. BACKGROUND & CONTEXT:

The original GR dated 6 September 2014 had granted pilot period until 30 June 2015. Based on:

• Favorable report from Divisional Deputy Commissioner, Pune
• Recommendation to extend for 5 years
• Proposal from Commissioner of State Excise

This GR extends the permission for another 5 years (2015-2018).

3. PILOT STATUS:

• This remains an experimental/pilot scheme — not permanent authorization
• Subject to 3-monthly review by Commissioner
• May be terminated if conditions violated or pilot objectives unmet

4. NO FEES MENTIONED:

• No license fee or renewal fee specified in this document
• Presumably, fees follow previous GR dated 6 September 2014

5. COMPLIANCE AUTHORITY:

• Commissioner, State Excise, Maharashtra — primary authority
• Divisional Deputy Commissioner, State Excise — implementation & monitoring

6. PREVIOUS GR REFERENCE:

• All original conditions from GR MYS-0612/Pr.Cr.211/RAOUSHSU-3, dated 6 September 2014 remain in force
• This GR only extends the period; it does not modify conditions

CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION

This GR circulated to:

1. Principal Secretary to Chief Minister
2. Private Secretary to Minister, State Excise
3. Private Secretary to Minister of State, State Excise
4. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) — State Excise
5. Commissioner, State Excise, Maharashtra
6. All Divisional Deputy Commissioners, State Excise
7. All Superintendents, State Excise
8. Home Department — All Assistant Secretaries/Deputy Secretaries
9. Kalpateeth Neera Producer Cooperative, Solapur
10. Agricultural Science Centre, Baramati, Pune
11. Agricultural Services Enterprise, Murbad, Thane
12. File/Record — State Excise-3

LEGAL BASIS & REFERENCES

Earlier Government Resolutions Cited:

1. GR No. NEE-1867/G.7941-III, dated 16 August 1969 — Original framework for Neera production & sale
2. GR No. MYS-0612/Pr.Cr.211/RAOUSHSU-3, dated 6 September 2014 — Original pilot authorization (all conditions therein remain binding)

Letter Reference:

• Commissioner of State Excise letter no. Neera.112012/1152/Akara, dated 22 March 2017 — Supporting extension recommendation

CONCLUSION

This is an extension order only. It does not:

• Modify existing conditions
• Create new rights
• Expand geographic jurisdiction
• Grant permanent licensure

It does:

• Extend pilot authorization by 5 years (to 30 June 2018)
• Reaffirm conditions of 6 September 2014 GR
• Mandate quarterly commissioner review
• Protect Khadi & Gramodyog Department interests

The three organizations may continue selling packaged Neera within their assigned revenue departments as per original pilot terms until 30 June 2018, subject to ongoing compliance and three-monthly review by the State Excise Commissioner.