MAHARASHTRA EXCISE OFFICIAL DOCUMENT ANALYSIS

Document Type: Government Resolution (GR) / Policy Decision Order

Reference Number: GR No. MPL-1118/Pr.Cr.347/ROUSHU-3

Issued By: Government of Maharashtra, Home Department (Grah Vibhag)

Issue Date: 1 December 2018

Effective Date: From date of publication (1 December 2018)

Website Reference: www.maharashtra.gov.in | Digital ID: 201812011528590629

SUMMARY

This Government Resolution constitutes a Committee (Samiti) to examine and determine the standard extraction rate of anhydrous alcohol (ethanol) produced from three independent sources: B-Heavy (B-Hy) molasses, C-Heavy (C-Hy) molasses, and sugarcane juice. The committee is mandated to analyze the technical aspects of the Central Government's circular dated 18.9.2018 (issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Public Distribution and Food, New Delhi, Circular No. 40/1/2018-BP&E), and to formulate draft guidelines for Maharashtra State Excise Department's regional authorities regarding regulation of anhydrous alcohol production from these three sources in sugar factories and distilleries attached to them.

KEY PROVISIONS

Committee Constitution

The following committee is hereby constituted with the following composition:

Committee Scope of Work & Mandate

1) Primary Task:

• Determine the standard extraction rate (extraction percentage) of anhydrous alcohol produced from:
  • Sugarcane juice
  • B-Heavy (B-Hy) molasses
  • C-Heavy (C-Hy) molasses
• Analyze and provide analytical comments on technical aspects contained in the Central Government's circular dated 18.9.2018 (Ref: Circular No. 40/1/2018-BP&E issued by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Public Distribution and Food, New Delhi)

2) Secondary Task:

• Based on existing laws and rules of the State Excise Department and Central Government, and considering the interests of both the Department and State Government, prepare and submit a draft of guidelines/instructions to be issued by the Department to its regional authorities
• These guidelines shall be based on and shall be in consonance with the Central Government's circular dated 18.9.2018
• Guidelines shall pertain to regulation of production of anhydrous alcohol from the three sources above

Committee Timeline & Deadline

• Submission Deadline: The committee shall submit its report to the Government within 7 days from the date of this order

Scope Limitations

The committee's work is restricted to distilleries attached to or associated with sugar factories within Maharashtra State.

Background & Context

• Central Government Circular Reference: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Public Distribution and Consumer Protection, Government of India, dated 16.7.2018 and 17.7.2018, followed by Circular No. 40/1/2018-BP&E dated 18.9.2018
• Purpose: The Central Government had constituted a committee to examine and determine standards for anhydrous alcohol extraction rates from B-Hy molasses, C-Hy molasses, and sugarcane juice
• Central Government Guidelines: Based on the recommendations of that committee, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, New Delhi, issued Circular No. 40/1/2018-BP&E dated 18.9.2018, prescribing guidelines for sugar factories and distilleries for the manufacture of ethanol from B-Heavy and C-Heavy molasses

DISTRIBUTION & OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION

Copies Issued To:

1. Chief Secretary to Chief Minister, Mantralaya, Mumbai-32
2. Leader of Opposition, Legislative Council/Assembly, Vidhanbhavan, Mumbai
3. Private Secretary to Minister/State Minister, State Excise, Mantralaya, Mumbai-32
4. Chief Secretary, Maharashtra State, Mantralaya, Mumbai-32
5. Principal Secretary (State Excise), Home Department, Senior Personal Assistant, Mantralaya, Mumbai-32
6. Commissioner, State Excise, Maharashtra State, Mumbai-23
7. Sugar Commissioner, Maharashtra State, Pune
8. Director (Implementation & Efficiency), State Excise, Maharashtra, Mumbai
9. Shri. Prasad Suwe, Deputy Commissioner, State Excise, Nashik Division
10. Shri. Mohan Vade, Inspector, State Excise, Nandurbar
11. Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Manjri, Pune
12. Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Mumbai
13. State Excise Department-3 (Record Section)

LICENSE TYPES AFFECTED

Indirectly Affected:

• Manufacturing Permits: Ethanol/Anhydrous Alcohol production permits for distilleries attached to sugar factories
• Related License Categories: Not directly regulated by this GR, but may be affected by future guidelines issued by the committee

Primary Concern: This GR does not directly issue or modify any license types. It is a policy-level decision to establish regulatory parameters for alcohol production from non-traditional sources (molasses and sugarcane juice).

LEGAL & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK REFERENCED

1. Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949 (BPA) — Implied general framework
2. Maharashtra Excise Laws and Rules — Current laws and rules of the State Excise Department
3. Central Government Circular No. 40/1/2018-BP&E dated 18.9.2018 — Issued by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Public Distribution and Consumer Protection, Government of India
4. Central Government Letters dated 16.7.2018 and 17.7.2018 — From Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, Public Supply and Consumer Protection

IMPORTANT NOTES / SPECIAL PROVISIONS

1. Constraints on Committee Work

• Work is limited to distilleries attached to or associated with sugar factories in Maharashtra
• Does not apply to independent distilleries not connected to sugar manufacturing

2. Technical Focus

• The committee must analyze the technical and scientific aspects of ethanol extraction from the three sources specified
• Analysis must be based on the Central Government's 18.9.2018 circular
• The committee must provide reasoned, analytical comments (nishleshan teepni) on technical aspects

3. Regulatory Alignment

• All proposed guidelines must be:
  • Based on existing Maharashtra Excise laws and rules
  • In consonance with Central Government circular dated 18.9.2018
  • In the interest of both the State Excise Department and State Government

4. Three Distinct Sources Mandated

The document specifically emphasizes that anhydrous alcohol (ethanol) must be separately analyzed and regulated based on its source:

• B-Heavy (B-Hy) Molasses
• C-Heavy (C-Hy) Molasses
• Sugarcane Juice

This indicates different extraction rates, composition, and regulatory requirements may apply to each source.

5. Digital Authentication

• This order is digitally signed
• Published on Maharashtra Government Official Portal: www.maharashtra.gov.in
• Digital Reference ID: 201812011528590629

6. Signed Authority

• Signed by: Smt. Su. Sh. Yadav, Executive Officer (Karyasna Adhikari), Government of Maharashtra
• Authority: Issued under and in the name of the Governor of Maharashtra (on his/her orders)

IMPLEMENTATION STATUS & NEXT STEPS

1. Committee Formation: This GR formally constitutes the committee as of 1 December 2018
2. Committee Action Required: Submit report within 7 days (by approximately 8 December 2018)
3. Pending Government Action: After receiving the committee report, the Government will issue:
   • Formal extraction rate standards for the three sources
   • Draft guidelines for regional authorities of the State Excise Department
4. Future Circular/Order Expected: Regional authorities will receive formal instructions based on this committee's recommendations

DOCUMENT COMPLETENESS & AUTHENTICITY

✅ Complete official Government Resolution
✅ All committee member details provided
✅ Scope of work clearly defined
✅ Deadline specified (7 days)
✅ Proper distribution list included
✅ Digital signature authentication confirmed
✅ Website publication confirmed

CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS

1. This is NOT a final regulatory order — it is a policy-formation order constituting a committee to study and recommend extraction rates
2. Awaiting Committee Report: The actual extraction rates and guidelines are not yet issued; they depend on the committee's 7-day study
3. Central Government Coordination: The resolution indicates Maharashtra is harmonizing its regulations with Central Government's 18.9.2018 circular on ethanol production
4. Sugar Industry Specific: The measure is designed to regulate ethanol production within the existing sugar manufacturing ecosystem
5. Three-Source Distinction: The emphasis on separate analysis of three sources suggests they will have different regulatory treatment

END OF ANALYSIS