To display permanent notice board in vendor’s license regarding sale of liquor to liquor consumption permit holders only

Amended Rule/Section: Mumbai Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953 - Rule 70(7) (One-day liquor consumption permit) implementation through administrative circular

Type of Change: Commissioner Circular - Administrative directive for mandatory display requirements and enforcement of liquor consumption permit provisions

What Changed:

This circular mandates that all retail liquor licensees must display a permanent notice board in their licensed premises informing customers that:

1. Under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act Section 12 and 48, possessing/purchasing intoxicating substances requires a valid permit
2. Liquor will be sold ONLY to persons holding valid consumption permits (annual/lifelong/one-day)
3. One-day permits are available at the licensed premises for ₹2 (country liquor) or ₹5 (foreign liquor)

The circular addresses a compliance gap where retailers were selling liquor without verifying whether customers held valid consumption permits, despite the legal requirement under Rule 70(D) of Mumbai Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953.

Key Details:

Notice Board Requirements:

• Must be displayed prominently where easily visible to all customers
• Must be large-sized and placed at conspicuous location in licensed premises
• Must contain exact prescribed text (provided in circular) in local language

Prescribed Notice Text:

• States that valid liquor consumption permit is mandatory under Maharashtra Prohibition Act
• Liquor will be sold only to permit holders
• One-day permits available on-site at ₹2 (country liquor) / ₹5 (foreign liquor)

Executive Officer Responsibilities:

1. Ensure all retail licensees install prescribed notice boards
2. Verify installation during physical inspections
3. Maintain adequate supply of one-day permit forms for all licensees
4. Provide application forms and documentation checklist for annual/lifelong permits
5. Process annual/lifelong permit applications promptly

Permit Fee Structure (existing provisions reiterated):

• One-day country liquor permit: ₹2
• One-day foreign liquor permit: ₹5
• Annual permit (Form FL-XSC): ₹100
• Lifelong permit: ₹1,000

Enforcement:

• Superintendents must conduct meetings with all Executive Officers
• Non-compliance by officers or licensees will result in legal action
• Sale of liquor without verifying customer permits will be treated as violation
• Complaints of permit-less sales will trigger action against officers AND licensees

Effective Date: 29th June 2016 (date of circular issuance)

Authority: Maharashtra Prohibition Act Section 12 (prohibition on possession/purchase) and Section 48 (consumption permits); Mumbai Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953 Rule 70(D) and 70(7); Commissioner of State Excise administrative powers

Context: This is a policy enforcement circular rather than a rule amendment. It operationalizes existing Rule 70(7) which introduced one-day permits to address low compliance with annual/lifelong permit requirements. The circular creates an administrative mechanism (mandatory notice boards + on-site permit availability) to ensure retail customers are aware of and comply with the permit requirement.