GR on dual-feed policy for ethanol production

What This Document Says

Gazette Reference: GR No. VISAYES 0225/प्र.क्र. 30/राउशु-2, dated 23rd July 2025

Type of Change: New Policy Notification

What Changed: The Maharashtra Government has introduced a new Dual-Feed Policy for anhydrous alcohol (ethanol) production. Previously, molasses-based distilleries (Form-I licensees) could produce ethanol only from sugarcane-based feedstocks (sugar/sugarcane juice/B-heavy molasses/C-heavy molasses). This notification now permits these same distilleries to operate using both molasses-based AND grain-based feedstocks under a dual-feed system, provided they obtain prior government approval and meet specified technical requirements. This aligns with the Central Government's Ethanol Blending Programme directive (dated 21.12.2023) aimed at increasing domestic ethanol production capacity. The policy explicitly prohibits use of grain-based ethanol for potable liquor—it may only be used as fuel-grade ethanol.

Key Details:

Eligibility & Scope:

Applies to existing molasses-based "Form-I" (Manufacturing) license holders under BPA
Permits dual operation: molasses feedstock (sugar/juice/B-heavy/C-heavy molasses) + grain feedstock
Grain-based ethanol restricted to anhydrous (fuel-grade) use only—NOT for potable alcohol

Prior Approvals Required (Para 2):

Revised Environmental Clearance from Central Ministry of Environment
Revised Consent to Operate from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board
PESO approval for layout modifications
Details of existing plant capacity, storage tanks with approved layouts

मराठी अनुवाद (Marathi Translation)

प्र.क्र. 30/राउशु-2,

Proposed layout if capacity expansion planned

Mandatory Technical Requirements (Para 3):

Adequate grain storage facilities
Separate feed preparation and fermentation systems for grain
Independent receiver tanks and storage tanks for each feedstock type (must be recorded in distillery records)
Effluent treatment system for Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) as per MPCB norms

Operational Procedures (Para 4):

When switching feedstock: 15 days written notice to Superintendent and Supervisory Officer (State Excise) required
At any time, only ONE feedstock type may be processed in a production line
Must follow procedures specified in Central Government order dated 21.12.2023

Multi-Line Distillery Requirements (Para 5): If distillery has multiple production lines:

Separate storage tanks for each feedstock, clearly marked
Different feedstocks may run on different lines simultaneously
BUT each line uses only one feedstock at a time; connections for other feedstocks must be closed
Independent weighing systems for feedstock, fermentation, distillation, dehydration per line
Separate ethanol receivers per line with no cross-connectivity
Minimum 30 days continuous operation on one feedstock before switching
15 days advance notice for feedstock changeover

Binding Conditions (Para 6):

Grain-based ethanol for fuel-grade (anhydrous) use only
MPCB compliance and environmental protection is distillery's responsibility
All conditions from referenced GRs remain applicable
Future Central/State directives will be binding

Authority Reference:

Previous GRs: 14.10.2020, 20.05.2021, 31.01.2023
Central Government Order: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, dated 21.12.2023
Proposal from Commissioner of State Excise, dated 09.06.2025

Effective Date: From date of publication (23rd July 2025)

Digital Reference Code: 202507231819263829

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मराठीत सारांश

# महाराष्ट्र दारूबंदी कायदा — नई Policy (23 जुलाई 2025)

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## थोडक्यात:
**मोलॅसिस वापरणारे स्पिरिट फॅक्टरीज आता अनाज (grain) देखील वापरू शकतात — पण फक्त फ्यूल-ग्रेड ethanol साठी, पिण्याच्या दारूसाठी नाही।**

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## काय बदलले?

**आधी:** मोलॅसिस distillery फक्त साखर/ऊस/मोलॅसिस वापरू शकत होते।

**आता:** अनाज (grain) पण वापरू शकतात — दोनही feedstock एकाच factoryला।

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## कोणला लागू होतो?

✓ Form-I license असलेल्या **मोलॅसिस-based distilleries**

✓ जे **anhydrous (fuel-grade) ethanol** बनवतात

✗ पिण्याची दारू बनवायला अनाज-ethanol वापरू शकत नाहीत

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## मिळवायचे Approval:

1. **Environment Ministry** — नई Environmental Clearance
2. **MPCB** (Maharashtra Pollution Control Board) — Consent to Operate
3. **PESO** — नई layout approval
4. **State Excise Dept** — सर्व तपशीलांना मंजूरी

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## तांत्रिक गोष्टी (जरूरी):

| आवश्यकता | विवरण |
|---------|------|
| **Storage** | अनाज साठवणीची वेगळी सुविधा |
| **Tanks** | मोलॅसिस आणि अनाज साठी वेगळे टँक (कुठेही mixed नाही) |
| **Production** | एका production line ला एका वेळी फक्त एक feedstock |
| **DDGS Treatment** | अनाजातून येणारे solid waste साठी Effluent Treatment |

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## Feedstock बदलायचे असेल तर:

📝 **15 दिवस आधी** State Excise Superintendent ला लिहून सांगा

⏳ **30 दिवस** minimum एका feedstock ला चालवा, मग बदल करा

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## अगत्याचे नियम:

1. **अनाज-ethanol = फ्यूल साठी** (पीण्याची दारू नाही!)
2. **MPCB compliance** करणे factory ची जबाबदारी
3. Central Government च्या नव्या आदेशांना बांधिलकारक

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## Effective कधून?

🔔 **23 जुलाई 2025** पासून लागू

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**Reference:** GR No. VISAYES 0225/30/राउशु-2 (23.07.2025)

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