IMFL Bottles to destroy

What This Document Says

Gazette Reference: Not explicitly provided in the visible text, but referenced as Circular No. DiEET-112016/[number]/Mumbai, dated 29th January 2016, and circular forwarded by Divisional Deputy Commissioner, Nashik Division dated 35th January 2016 (appears to be 25th or 5th February 2016)

Type: Commissioner's Circular — Enforcement Policy Directive (Non-Fee)

Authority: Bombay Prohibition Act, 1948, Sections 54/56 (License suspension/cancellation powers)

Subject: Mandatory Destruction of Empty IMFL Bottles — Prevention of Reuse for Counterfeit Liquor

SUMMARY

This is an enforcement circular issued by the Commissioner of State Excise, Maharashtra, addressing non-compliance with previous directives regarding the destruction of empty imported foreign liquor (IMFL) bottles. The circular does not amend rules or fees but imposes strict operational mandates on license holders and enforcement officers.

KEY DIRECTIVES

Problem Identified:

Counterfeit liquor operations have been discovered where empty bottles of high-end foreign liquor (Scotch, single malt whisky, tequila, etc.) from licensed premises (FL-II/FL-III licenses, five-star hotels, restaurants) are being reused to manufacture fake liquor
Previous circular (DiEET-112013/2970/69/95) was not properly followed by Superintendents or license holders
Revenue loss to the State due to high excise and sales tax rates on genuine IMFL being circumvented through counterfeiting

Mandatory Actions for License Holders:

Destruction of empty bottles must occur in the presence of jurisdictional Excise officers (field-level enforcement staff)
Proof of destruction (video or photographic evidence) must be submitted to the Divisional Officer
Non-compliance will result in license suspension or cancellation under BPA Sections 54/56

Mandatory Actions for Excise Officers:

Superintendents must issue clear destruction instructions to all FL-II, FL-III, and CL-III license holders in their jurisdiction
Executive Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors must verify compliance during routine license inspections and record observations in visit registers
Monthly district-level meetings must review destruction compliance reports
Departmental action to be taken against officers failing to enforce the circular

Enforcement Mechanism:

License inspections must specifically verify bottle destruction records
Non-compliant licenses face immediate suspension/cancellation proceedings
Commissioner and Director will review compliance in Superintendent review meetings

EFFECTIVE DATE

Immediate effect from date of issuance (29th January 2016, forwarded by Nashik Division on 5th February 2016 approximately)

PRACTICAL IMPACT

This circular does NOT change:

License fees
Application procedures
Eligibility criteria

It DOES mandate:

Operational protocol change: Empty high-value IMFL bottles must be destroyed under official supervision
Evidence retention: Photo/video documentation required
Inspection focus: Compliance with destruction protocol becomes mandatory inspection checkpoint
Penalties: Non-compliance triggers license cancellation under BPA Sections 54/56

Target Licenses: Primarily FL-II (permit room), FL-III (restaurant), FL-IV (hotel), and five-star hotel licenses selling imported/foreign liquor.

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मराठीत सारांश

# महाराष्ट्र उत्पादन शुल्क आयुक्त यांचे Circular — खाली दारू बाटल्यांचा विनाश अनिवार्य

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## थोडक्यात:
**खाली फॉरेन लिकर बाटल्या नष्ट करणे अनिवार्य केले गेले आहे (license holders आणि Excise officers दोन्हींसाठी) — नाहीतर licence रद्द होईल.**

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## समस्या काय आहे?

नकली दारू बनवणारे लोक **उच्च दर्जाच्या फॉरेन लिकर बाटल्या** (स्कॉच व्हिस्की, टेकिला वगैरे) दुबारा भरून विक्री करत आहेत।

यामुळे:
- State को excise आणि sales tax मधून नुकसान होत आहे
- नकली दारू बाजारात येत आहे

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## **License Holders ला काय करायचे?**

1. **खाली बाटल्या नष्ट करताना** Excise officer हाजर असलेच पाहिजेत
2. **फोटो किंवा व्हिडिओ पुरावा** रेकॉर्ड करून Divisional Officer ला पाठवायचा
3. हे न केल्यास **licence रद्द होईल** (BPA Sections 54/56 अंतर्गत)

**कोण पालन करणार?**
- FL-II, FL-III, CL-III license holders (restaurants, permit rooms, hotels)

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## **Excise Officers ला काय करायचे?**

1. **Superintendents:** सर्व license holders ना स्पष्ट निर्देश दे
2. **Executive Inspector & Sub-Inspectors:** नियमित inspection मध्ये बाटल्यांचा विनाश पाहून रेकॉर्ड करा
3. **महिना एक वेळा** जिल्हा स्तरावर मीटिंग करून अहवाल चेक करा

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## **लागू झाल्या?**

✅ **29 जानेवारी 2016 पासून तुरंत**

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## **फीस/रूल्स बदलले का?**

❌ **नाही।** यह Circular फक्त operational तरीका बदलतो — fee, application किंवा पात्रता बदलत नाही।

**सिर्फ हे नियम लागू होतोय:**
- खाली फॉरेन लिकर बाटल्यांचा विनाष अधिकारी उपस्थितीत हवा
- पुरावा रेकॉर्ड करायचा
- non-compliance = licence cancellation

Related Rules & Sections

Rule THE BOMBAY FOREIGN LIQUOR RULES, 1953 — 1 Title शीर्षक (amends)
Rule THE BOMBAY PROHIBITION INTOXICANTS (DES... — 1 Short title शीर्षक (amends)

Original Document

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