MAHARASHTRA EXCISE OFFICIAL DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
Document Type: Government Resolution (शासन निर्णय)
Reference Number: TOD-0818/Pr.Cr.182/RAUSU-3
Issued By: Government of Maharashtra, Home Department (गृह विभाग)
Date of Issue: 16 February 2021
Effective Date: From date of publication (16 February 2021)
Published On: www.maharashtra.gov.in | Portal ID: 202102161434131429
SUMMARY
This Government Resolution constitutes a high-level committee to formulate a comprehensive new Toddy Policy (नवीन संपूर्ण ताडी धोरण) for Maharashtra. The committee has been established to address systemic issues in toddy licensing, including adulteration prevention, modernization of palm cultivation, standardization of outlet definitions, determination of tree quotas, and procedures for license approval and renewal. The committee must submit its report to the Government within 3 months of its constitution.
KEY PROVISIONS
1. COMPOSITION OF HIGH-LEVEL COMMITTEE
The committee comprises the following members:
| Sr. |
Name/Designation |
Position |
| 1 |
Shri Ramanath Jha, IAS (Retired), former Principal Secretary |
Chairman (अध्यक्ष) |
| 2 |
Commissioner, State Excise, Maharashtra, Mumbai |
Member |
| 3 |
Representative of Agricultural Commissioner, Maharashtra, Pune |
Member |
| 4 |
Representative of Director, Medical Education & Research |
Member |
| 5 |
Chief, Coconut Research Station, Bhate, District Ratnagiri (Dr. Babasaheb Savant Konkan Agricultural University, Dapoli) |
Member |
| 6 |
Current or retired representative of National Chemical Laboratory, Pune |
Member |
| 7 |
Representative of Agricultural Science Centre, Baramati |
Member |
| 8 |
Two representatives of Maharashtra Toddy Association (महाराष्ट्र ताडी असोसिएशन) |
Members |
| 9 |
One representative of Neera Association (निरा असोसिएशन) |
Member |
| 10 |
Divisional Deputy Commissioner, State Excise, Thane |
Member Secretary (सदस्य सचिव) |
2. COMMITTEE'S MANDATE (समितीची कार्यक्षेत्रा)
The committee shall:
- Frame procedures for toddy license approval and annual renewal
- Suggest measures to prevent adulteration in toddy
- Recommend measures for modern methods of palm tree cultivation and growth
- Define minimum and maximum parameters for toddy shop premises
- Determine quotas for number of palm trees per toddy shop in urban and rural areas
- Decide on new toddy shop approvals in areas where existing shop density is very high
- Review procedures for palm tree cutting, toddy transport, and sales to ensure compliance with Beverage Liquor Regulations and sales procedures
- Suggest measures balancing health concerns with farmer income enhancement
3. TIMELINE AND REPORTING
- Committee deadline: Committee shall submit its report within 3 months from the date of constitution
- Report submission: To Government of Maharashtra, Home Department
HISTORICAL CONTEXT (प्रस्तावना)
The GR provides extensive background on toddy licensing policy evolution:
- 1994-95: Toddy licenses (TD-1) were granted via public auction
- 08.08.1995: Policy amended — from 1995-96 onwards, annual renewal with 6% escalation permitted for 4 years without fresh auction
- 31.08.2000: Auction method abandoned; renewal by 6% annual escalation only
- High Court Challenge: Writ Petition No. 4823/2000 filed in Bombay High Court (17.10.2000) challenging the above policy
- 04.06.2001: New rule issued — Maharashtra Toddy Shops (Lottery-Cum-Auction License) Order, 2001
- 2006-07: Policy modified — 3% surcharge for first 3 months, then 6% escalation
- High Court Challenge: Writ Petition No. 6568/2007 filed against above policy
- 2008-09: Committee constituted under R.S. Ajitkumar Jain (then Principal Secretary) to frame toddy policy
- 09.08.2010: Maharashtra Toddy Shops (Lottery-Cum-Auction License) (Amendment) Order, 2010 issued
- Renewal period: Maximum 4 years
- 2010-11 renewal fee: Equal to 2009-10 rates
- Subsequent years: 6% annual escalation from previous year
- 2010-11 to 2020-21: Licenses approved via lottery-auction and renewal procedures
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK REFERENCED
The GR explicitly refers to and builds upon:
- Maharashtra Toddy Shops (License Grant and Tree Felling) Rules, 1968 (महाराष्ट्र ताडी दुकाने अनुज्ञप्ती देणे आणि ताडी झाडे छेदणे नियम, 1968)
- Maharashtra Toddy Shops (Lottery-Cum-Auction License) Order, 2001 (मद. 04.06.2001)
- Maharashtra Toddy Shops (Lottery-Cum-Auction License) (Amendment) Order, 2010 (मद. 09.08.2010)
LICENSE TYPES AFFECTED
- Toddy Retail Licenses (ताडी खुद्रविक्रय अनुज्ञप्ती) — specifically TD-1 (formerly), Toddy Shop licenses
- Toddy manufacturing and distribution system
WHO IS AFFECTED
- All existing toddy shop licensees in Maharashtra (urban and rural areas)
- Prospective toddy shop applicants
- Maharashtra Toddy Association (represented on committee)
- Neera Association (represented on committee)
- State Excise Department (implementing authority)
- Agricultural sector (palm tree cultivators and suppliers)
- Public health authorities (policy on adulteration)
ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRIBUTION
This GR was circulated to (प्रति):
- Governor's Secretary
- Secretary to President, Maharashtra Legislative Council
- Secretary to Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
- Chief Minister's Private Secretary and staff
- Deputy Chief Minister's Secretary
- Minister (Excise) and State Minister (Excise)
- Chief Secretary
- Additional Chief Secretary
- Principal Secretary (Excise)
- Commissioner, State Excise
- Divisional Deputy Commissioner, State Excise, Thane
- All committee members
- Publication: Maharashtra Government Portal
IMPORTANT NOTES / SPECIAL PROVISIONS
-
Digital Authentication: This GR is digitally signed and authenticated (डिजिटल स्वाक्षरीने साक्षांकित)
-
Scope of Revision: The new policy shall comprehensively address:
- Adulteration prevention (भेसळ रोखणे)
- Modern palm cultivation (आधुनिक पद्धतीने लागवड)
- Shop infrastructure standards (दुकानाची किमित)
- Tree quota determination (झाडांच्या संख्येचे निकर्ष)
- License approval and renewal procedures
-
Stakeholder Inclusion: Committee includes:
- Government officials (Excise, Agriculture, Health)
- Research institutions (Coconut Research, Chemical Lab, Agricultural Science)
- Industry associations (Toddy & Neera)
-
Authority: GR issued under the authority and name of the Governor of Maharashtra (राज्यपालांच्या आदेशानुसार व नावाने)
LEGAL VALIDITY
- Signed by: S.S. Yadav, Executive Authority, Government of Maharashtra
- Status: Official Government Resolution with binding legal effect
- Jurisdiction: Entire State of Maharashtra
NO FEES, AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING RULES, OR FORMS
This document is purely constitutive — it creates a committee and defines its mandate. It does not:
- Prescribe any fees
- Amend existing rules directly
- Create new license forms
- Establish new penalty provisions
The output of this committee (the new Toddy Policy) will subsequently be formulated as a separate regulation.
END OF ANALYSIS