Document Type: Government Resolution (GR) / Administrative Order
Reference Number: Government Resolution No. MPL-0119/Pr.Cr.07/RAUSU-3, dated 29 June 2020
Issued By: Government of Maharashtra, Home Department (महाराष्ट्र शासन, गृह विभाग)
Effective Date: From the date of this Order (29 June 2020) — with immediate effect (तात्काळ प्रभावाने)
Summary:
This GR lifts the ban on export of molasses (मळी/mollasses) produced during the 2019-20 sugarcane season to other states and countries, a ban originally imposed on 27 December 2019 until 30 September 2020. The ban is lifted in view of: (1) reduced demand for alcohol/alcohol-based products due to COVID-19 pandemic; (2) consequent accumulation of molasses stock in sugar factories and distilleries (13.90 lakh metric tonnes as of 9 June 2020); and (3) the need to provide relief to sugar factories and farmers dependent on molasses sales. The Commissioner of State Excise is authorized to grant export permits for molasses on a centralized basis to maintain control over exports and ensure adequate molasses supply for alcohol production and sanitizer manufacturing within the state.
Key Provisions:
• Ban Lifted: The ban on export of molasses (produced during 2019-20 season) to other states/countries, imposed by GR dated 27 December 2019 until 30 September 2020, is withdrawn with immediate effect (from 29 June 2020)
• Authority Granted: The Commissioner of State Excise is granted authority to permit export of molasses to other states/countries on a centralized basis
• Centralized Control: All molasses export permissions must be granted by the Commissioner of State Excise only — no decentralized authority
• Conditions on Export Permits:
- Must be granted with adequate safeguards to ensure molasses supply is not diverted from state distilleries and other industrial users
- Permits must be issued promptly (सत्वर परवानगी) to molasses exporting entities
- The Commissioner must establish detailed operational procedures (सविस्तर कार्यप्रणाली) for issuing permits
• Affected Season: Only molasses produced during 2019-20 sugarcane season is covered by this order
• Stock Position (as of 9 June 2020):
Total production during season: 24.10 lakh metric tonnes
Forecast for 2020-21: 36-38 lakh metric tonnes (if 950 lakh MT sugarcane is crushed)
• Reference to Prior GR: This order supersedes/modifies previous GR No. MPL-1213/Pr.Cr.559/RAUSU-3, dated 4 January 2016 (as referenced)
• Rationale for Lifting Ban:
- Reduced alcohol/alcohol-based product demand due to COVID-19 pandemic
- Storage capacity constraints at sugar factories
- Need to provide financial relief to sugar factories and farmers
- No loss of government revenue from molasses sales
- Continued availability for sanitizer production and state distilleries
Who Is Affected:
• Sugar factories (साखर कारखाने) — Primary beneficiaries; permitted to export molasses with centralized authorization from Commissioner
• Distilleries (आसविनी / आसवन) — Protected; safeguards ensure adequate molasses supply for alcohol production within state
• Molasses exporting entities/merchants (मळी दनयातदार घटक) — Must obtain prior permit from Commissioner of State Excise before any export
• Farmers — Indirect beneficiary; expected to receive fair prices for sugarcane through viable molasses sales
• Alcohol/alcohol-based industry — Protected from shortage through centralized control mechanism
• Sanitizer manufacturers (सॅनिटायजर उत्पादक) — Protected; safeguards ensure adequate ethanol/alcohol supply
Important Notes / Conditions / Penalties:
• Safeguard Clause: The Commissioner must ensure that molasses export does not create shortages for:
- State distilleries (राज्यातील आसवने)
- Other industrial users of molasses
- Sanitizer manufacturing units (especially relevant to COVID-19 context)
• No Revenue Loss: The lifting of the ban is explicitly stated not to adversely affect:
- Government revenue from molasses production and alcohol/beverages
- Alcohol production and beverage taxation
• Procedure Requirement: The Commissioner must:
- Frame detailed operational procedures (सविस्तर कार्यप्रणाली) for export permit issuance
- Grant permits expeditiously (सत्वर परवानगी)
- Maintain centralized control over all exports
• Applicability: This order applies only to molasses of 2019-20 season; any extension beyond this would require separate order
• Digital Registration: This GR has been published on Maharashtra Government website www.maharashtra.gov.in with reference number 202006291248068629 and digitally signed
• Implementation Authorities: Copies distributed to:
- Chief Minister's Principal Secretary
- Minister (RAUSU) — Private Secretary
- Principal Secretary (RAUSU)
- Opposition Leader's Private Secretary
- Commissioner of State Excise
- All Divisional Commissioners
- All District Collectors
- All Divisional Deputy Commissioners (State Excise)
- All State Excise Superintendents
No Fees, Forms, or Document Requirements are mentioned in this order — it is a policy/administrative directive, not a licensing or application order.
Previous Related Orders Referenced:
- GR No. MPL-1213/Pr.Cr.559/RAUSU-3, dated 4 January 2016
- GR No. MPL-0119/Pr.Cr.07/RAUSU-3, dated 27 December 2019 (the ban order being lifted)