Document Type: Government Resolution (शासन निर्णय) — Policy Decision on Neera Production, Processing, and Distribution
Reference Number: GR No. एमआरए-0721/प्र.क्ष.109/राउशु-3 (MRA-0721/P.Ks.109/RAUSHU-3)
Issued By: Government of Maharashtra, Home Department (गृह विभाग), Mantralaya, Mumbai
Effective Date: 9 November 2021 (दिनांक: 9 नोव्हेंबर, 2021)
Portal ID: 1515
Digital Reference Code: 202111091700503029
This Government Resolution establishes a permanent revised policy framework for cultivation, production, processing, and retail sale of Neera (palm sap) in Maharashtra, replacing the earlier experimental permissions granted under various GRs since 1969. The policy aims to ensure pure, unadulterated Neera reaches consumers while providing statutory permanence to the Neera business. The resolution transitions Neera from time-limited experimental permits (Forms N-1, N-2, N-3, N-4) to a formalized licensing regime with standardized conditions, quality controls, cold-chain management, e-licensing systems, and geo-tagging of palm trees. It streamlines government procedures, reduces mandatory referrals to KHADI institutions (except for certain palm products), allows inter-district transport of sealed Neera, and establishes technical safeguards against adulteration.
Reference to Existing Legislative Framework:
Previous GRs Being Amended/Superseded:
Section 1.2: License Forms and Renewal
Forms Established:
License Duration & Renewal:
Granting Authority:
Section 1.3: Jaggery Production Location
Old Rule (Amended): Distance between Neera production site and jaggery (गुळ) production site must not exceed 10 miles
New Rule (Section 1.3): Distance between Neera production trees and jaggery production location must NOT EXCEED ½ MILE (0.8 km)
Section 1.7: Distribution/Retail Location Distance
For sealed Neera:
For inter-district Neera transport:
Section 1.4: Use-Within Timeline
Section 1.5: Fermentation Prevention
Section 1.6: Food Safety & Standards Compliance
Mandatory compliance with Food Safety and Standards Act provisions during:
Mandatory compliance with Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 when selling sealed Neera
Section 1.7: Infrastructure & Transportation
Sealed Neera Storage: