MAHARASHTRA EXCISE OFFICIAL DOCUMENT ANALYSIS

Document Type: Government Resolution (Notification)

Reference Number: GR No. DiVAYS0521/Pr.Kr.61/RAUSHOO-2, dated 25.10.2021

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

Effective Date:

• 01 November 2021 (for 30% grain-based alcohol mandate)
• 01 April 2022 (for 40% grain-based alcohol mandate)

Summary: This Government Resolution mandates that distilleries and manufacturing units in Maharashtra producing indigenous and foreign-type alcoholic beverages must use grain-based alcohol (धान्याधातिि मद्यार्क) in their production. Previously, units were required to use 100% grain-based alcohol. The GR now permits a phased transition: from 01 November 2021, distilleries must use minimum 30% grain-based alcohol, increasing to 40% from 01 April 2022. This policy aims to boost domestic grain-based distillery industry and reduce unutilized production capacity while aligning with the Central Government's ethanol blending fuel program.

KEY PROVISIONS

Mandatory Requirements:

• Directive 1: All distilleries and manufacturing units producing indigenous and foreign-type alcoholic beverages from grain or other raw materials must use 100% grain-based alcohol (धान्याधातिि मद्यार्क) — this requirement is maintained and reinforced.

• Directive 2: Effective 01 November 2021: All state distilleries producing domestic and foreign-type alcoholic beverages in CL-I (Country Liquor - Class I) and PLL (Presumably Potable Liquor License) categories must use minimum 30% grain-based alcohol in beverage production.

• Directive 3: Effective 01 April 2022: All state distilleries producing domestic and foreign-type alcoholic beverages must use minimum 40% grain-based alcohol in beverage production.

Scope of Applicability:

• Applies to all distilleries (आसवनी) in Maharashtra state
• Applies to units manufacturing indigenous beverages (देशी मद्य)
• Applies to units manufacturing foreign-type beverages of Indian manufacture (भाििीय बनावटीचे तवदेशी पेय मद्य)
• Applies specifically to CL-I and PLL category licensees

Policy Background & Rationale:

• Government of India has initiated a program to blend ethanol (20% maximum) in fuel
• Ethanol can be derived from sugarcane molasses and B-heavy molasses
• Grain-based alcohol production is being incentivized with preferential rates
• Previous policy allowed subsidies for grain-based distilleries established by 31 September 2009
• Current policy aims to increase utilization of grain-based distillery capacity and boost this sector

DOCUMENTS/ENCLOSURES REQUIRED

None explicitly listed in this GR — this is a policy directive, not a license application or amendment requiring supporting documents.

WHO IS AFFECTED

Primary Stakeholders:

1. All distilleries (आसवनी) in Maharashtra state holding production licenses for:

   • Indigenous spirits/beverages (देशी मद्य)
   • Foreign-type alcoholic beverages of Indian manufacture (भाििीय बनावटीचे तवदेशी पेय मद्य)

2. Specific License Categories:

   • CL-I (Country Liquor - Class I) licensees
   • PLL (Potable Liquor License) category licensees

3. Exemptions or Special Cases: None specified in this document

IMPORTANT NOTES / CONDITIONS / PENALTIES

Mandatory Compliance Timeline:

Implementation Notes:

• This is a phased transition policy to allow distilleries to adapt production processes
• The mandate supersedes previous licensing conditions
• All units must comply with these minimum thresholds regardless of existing license terms

Referenced Prior Government Resolutions:

1. GR No. BPA 1097/17/EXC-3, dated 08-03-2000 — Initial policy for granting licenses for grain-based alcohol and resulting domestic/foreign-type beverage production

2. GR No. NMA 0206/Pr.Kr.3/RAUSHOO-2, dated 08-06-2007 — Introduced "Grain-Based Distillery and Economic Subsidy Scheme" (धान्याधातिि आसवनी व एकात्मक घटक अर्थसहाय्य योजना) for approving licenses

3. GR No. NMA 0309/Pr.Kr.75/RAUSHOO-2, dated 31-08-2009 — Made new grain-based distilleries established by 31 September 2009 eligible for subsidy

Distribution & Implementation:

• GR published on Maharashtra Government official portal: www.maharashtra.gov.in
• Web Reference ID: 202110251608025129
• Digitally signed document
• Copies distributed to:
  • Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra
  • Chief Minister's Principal Secretary
  • Minister of State Excise & Private Secretary
  • All District Administrators (सर्व जिल्हातधर्ारी)
  • All Divisional Deputy Commissioners of State Excise
  • All Superintendents of State Excise
  • Office of RAUSHOO-2 (for record)

Penalties & Enforcement:

• Not explicitly stated in this GR; non-compliance would likely result in license cancellation or suspension under existing Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949 provisions
• Enforcement authority: Commissioner of State Excise, Maharashtra (आयुक्ि, िाज्य उत्पादन शुल्र्)

LEGAL NOTES

License Types Affected:

• CL-I (Country Liquor - Class I) — Grain-based spirits and indigenous beverages
• PLL (Potable Liquor License) — Foreign-type beverages of Indian manufacture

No Direct Impact On:

• FL-I, FL-II, FL-III, FL-IV (Foreign Liquor retail/wholesale licenses)
• Toddy or Neera licenses
• CL-II, CL-III licenses (though background policy may affect)

Status: Active and Enforceable from 25 October 2021 (publication date)