MAHARASHTRA EXCISE GOVERNMENT RESOLUTION ANALYSIS

Document Type: Government Resolution (Decentralization of License Approval Authority)

Reference Number: GR No. MYS-0415/Pr.Cr.90/RAUSHU-3

Issued By: Government of Maharashtra, Home Department (गृह विभाग)

Date of Issue: 29 January 2018

Effective Date: From date of publication (29 January 2018)

Portal ID: 1426

Digital Signature Code: 201801291107271229

SUMMARY

This Government Resolution decentralizes the authority to approve various excise licenses and permits under the State Excise Department (Maharashtra Prohibition Act 1949). The objective is to reduce administrative delays in granting licenses related to liquor, country liquor, and raw materials used in their manufacture. The resolution devolves approval authority from the State level to District Collectors, Divisional Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents, and Inspectors of State Excise, thereby promoting industrial development, employment generation, and creating a business-friendly environment in the state.

KEY PROVISIONS - DECENTRALIZATION OF LICENSE APPROVAL AUTHORITY

CATEGORY 1: MOLASSES (गुळ) LICENSES

Additional Details for M-2:

• Annual additional molasses quota: 2000 metric tonnes (पयंत = up to)
• Temporary quota: Equivalent to 2 months of approved quota
• Authority: Divisional Deputy Commissioner for annual; Superintendent for temporary

CATEGORY 2: LIQUOR AND COUNTRY LIQUOR MANUFACTURING LICENSES

CATEGORY 3: WHOLESALE/LARGE-SCALE RETAIL LICENSES

CATEGORY 4: RETAIL/SMALL-SCALE LICENSES

LICENSE TYPES AFFECTED (COMPLETE LIST)

1. Molasses Licenses: M-1, M-2
2. Liquor Manufacturing: RS-1, RS-2, RS-6, RS-6(अ), RS-7
3. Country Liquor Manufacturing: DS-5, DS-6, DS-7
4. Distillery Plants: DSP-1, DSP-2, DSP-3
5. Wholesale: FL-1, FLW-1
6. Retail: FL-4, FLW-2, FLBR-2

AUTHORITY HIERARCHY (POST-DECENTRALIZATION)

Lowest Level Authority:

• Inspector, State Excise (वनरीक्षक, राज्य उत्पादन शुल्क): DS-7 only

Mid-Level Authority:

• Superintendent, State Excise (अधीक्षक, राज्य उत्पादन शुल्क): RS-1, RS-6, RS-6(अ), DSP-1/2/3, FL-1, FLW-1, FL-4, FLW-2, FLBR-2, M-2 (temporary quota)

District-Level Authority:

• District Collector (वजल्हावधकारी): M-1, RS-2 (up to 5 lakh litres), DS-5 (up to 5 lakh litres)

Divisional-Level Authority:

• Divisional Deputy Commissioner, State Excise (विभागीय उप आयुक्त, राज्य उत्पादन शुल्क): RS-7, DS-6, M-2 (annual 2000 MT molasses), FLBR-2 (approval authority)

IMPORTANT NOTES / CONDITIONS / IMPLEMENTATION

Quantitative Limits:

• RS-2 (Industrial Country Liquor): District Collector authorized to approve additional quantity UP TO 5 LAKH LITRES PER ANNUM beyond approved licensed quantity
• DS-5 (Industrial Distilled Spirit): District Collector authorized to approve additional quantity UP TO 5 LAKH LITRES PER ANNUM beyond approved licensed quantity
• M-2 (Animal Feed Molasses - Annual): Divisional Deputy Commissioner to approve UP TO 2000 METRIC TONNES ADDITIONAL PER ANNUM
• M-2 (Temporary Quota): Superintendent to approve AD HOC QUOTA EQUIVALENT TO 2 MONTHS' APPROVED QUOTA

Government Pre-Approval Required:

• FLW-1 (Wholesale Special): शासनाच्या पूिगमान्यतेने (Prior written Government approval mandatory)
• FLW-2 (Retail Special): शासनाच्या पूिगमान्यतेने (Prior written Government approval mandatory)
• FLBR-2 (Bar License): विभागीय उप आयुक्ताांच्या पूिग मान्यतेने (Prior approval from Divisional Deputy Commissioner mandatory)

Objective of Decentralization:

1. Reduce administrative delays in license approval
2. Support industrial growth and "Make in India" initiative
3. Create employment opportunities
4. Minimize harassment of entrepreneurs and public
5. Make State Excise Department more citizen-friendly and efficient

Rationale (as stated in preamble):

• Industrial activity in the state has increased
• Production capacity of liquor/country liquor units has expanded to meet market demand
• Industrial raw material sourcing requires faster approvals
• New industry setup and entrepreneurship must be encouraged
• Multiple-level approvals cause administrative delay

PUBLICATION & IMPLEMENTATION

• Published on: Maharashtra Government Portal (www.maharashtra.gov.in)
• Digital Reference Code: 201801291107271229
• Signature: Co. Secretary (सह सवचि), Home Department
• Signatory Name: P.H. Waghde (पु. वह. िागदे)
• Authorization: Issued under directions and in the name of the Governor of Maharashtra

DISTRIBUTION (CIRCULAR NOTIFICATION SENT TO)

1. Governor's Secretary, Raj Bhavan, Malabar Hill, Mumbai
2. Chief Minister's Principal Secretary, Ministry, Mumbai
3. Minister (Excise) Private Secretary, Ministry, Mumbai
4. Leader of Opposition, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly / Council
5. Deputy Minister (Excise) Private Secretary, Ministry, Mumbai
6. Principal Secretary (Excise) Personal Assistant, Ministry, Mumbai
7. Commissioner, State Excise, Maharashtra State, Mumbai-23
8. All Divisional Commissioners
9. All District Collectors
10. All Divisional Deputy Commissioners, State Excise
11. All Superintendents, State Excise
12. File Officer, Home Department / RAUSHU-1 & RAUSHU-2
13. Central Record (RAUSHU-3)

STATUTORY BASIS

• Parent Legislation: Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949 (महाराष्ट्र दारूबांदी कायदा 1949)
• Section Referenced: General authority for license approval under BPA 1949

PROCEDURAL IMPACT

Timeline Reduction Expected:

• Applications previously requiring State-level approval now require District/Divisional approval only
• Processing time expected to reduce from State Commissioner level to Superintendent/District Collector level
• Temporary quotas (M-2) can be granted within weeks instead of months
• Industrial quantity extensions (RS-2, DS-5) now require District approval only (5 lakh litre limit), not State approval

No Fee Changes Indicated: This GR addresses authority devolution only; no fee schedule modifications are mentioned.