Amended Rule/Section: Mumbai Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953 — Introduction of new liquor category
Type of Change: New Policy Notification — Introduction of Maharashtra Made Liquor (MML) as a new Foreign Liquor category
What Changed:
The Government of Maharashtra has introduced a new category of foreign liquor called Maharashtra Made Liquor (MML) as an approved foreign liquor type. This new category is designed to be manufactured exclusively from Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) as the base. The notification establishes MML as a distinct subcategory of foreign liquor to be produced by licensed Distillery (PLL) units in Maharashtra, aimed at bridging the price gap between Indian-made foreign liquor and domestic liquor, thereby creating employment and increasing excise revenue. MML production is authorized only for PLL licensees meeting specific eligibility and operational criteria outlined in the notification.
Key Details:
Eligibility Criteria for PLL Units:
- Registered head office of PLL licensee must be in Maharashtra State
- No foreign investor ownership (direct or indirect) permitted in the company
- Minimum 25% of promoters/licensees must be Maharashtra State residents (mandatory requirement)
- PLL licensee cannot hold any IMFL brand manufactured in Maharashtra that is also produced in other states
- Fully leased PLL licences are ineligible; however, partially sub-leased units (with retained capacity) may qualify
- PLL under tie-up arrangement is eligible; notified distillery units with Letter of Intent (LoI) may also partner for MML production
Manufacturing & Brand Conditions:
- MML must be manufactured exclusively from Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) base
- Only licensee's own brands eligible; third-party brand production prohibited
- Brand cannot be registered under any other liquor category (domestic, IMFL, beer, wine) in Maharashtra, India, or elsewhere
- Brand ownership must be registered under Trademarks Act, 1999 within 1 year of MML approval; certification to be submitted to Commissioner within 15 days
Labelling Requirements:
- Mandatory MML logo on back label (font/specifications per Commissioner's direction, color coordinated with label design)
- For Maharashtra sale: "For Sale In Maharashtra State Only" marking mandatory on label
- For export: MML logo mandatory on label
- Strength specification: 42.8% v/v OR 25 U.P. (Units of Proof); exception for vodka & gin: 37.5%–42.8% v/v (35–25 U.P.)
Regulatory Compliance:
- Manufacturing process must receive Government approval before production commencement
- Label registration pre-approval process may commence upon receipt of eligibility proposal
- Distribution through FL-2 and FL-3 licences only (retail outlets)
- Excise duty rates and MRP formula specified in separate Government notifications dated 21.07.2025
- False information, concealment, or condition violation results in immediate cancellation and recovery of duty differential (with interest) between MML and IMFL rates
Future Conditions: All conditions/restrictions imposed by State Government from time to time shall remain binding on all units
Effective Date: From date of publication (7 August 2025)
Authority: Home Department, State Excise — Government Resolution No. MYS 0425/Pr.Cr. 83/RAUSU-2, dated 07.08.2025; Cabinet approval dated 10.06.2025