Mhora Flowers

GAZETTE ANALYSIS: BOMBAY MHOWRA FLOWERS RULES, 1950

Type: Consolidation of Rules with Historical Amendments (Non-fee Revision)

Authority: Section 143, Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949 (Bom. XXV of 1949)

Document Nature: This gazette presents the complete text of the Bombay Mhowra Flowers Rules, 1950, incorporating all amendments made through various Government Notifications from 1950 to 1988.

SUMMARY OF RULE STRUCTURE

Amended Rule/Section: Complete Chapter III — Bombay Mhowra Flowers Rules, 1950 (Rules 1-22 and Forms M.F.-I through M.F.-VII, plus Forms M.F.-A through M.F.-D)

Type of Change: Consolidation document showing rules as amended over time (1950-1988)

What Changed: This is a consolidated text incorporating multiple amendments over 38 years. Key amendments include:

1. Extension of territorial scope (1963): Rules extended to whole of Maharashtra State
2. Fee revisions (1982, 1988): Application fees, permit fees, and licence fees modified
3. New accounting forms (1963): Forms M.F.-A through M.F.-D added for maintaining accounts and monthly returns
4. Measurement unit changes (1963): Substitution of "quintals" for weight measurements
5. Administrative terminology updates (1960-1963): "Mamlatdar/Tahsildar" replacing "Mahalkari," "Commissioner" replacing certain collector references
6. Fee structure for tribal members (1988): Reduced fees for Scheduled Tribe members

KEY REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Licensing System:

1. M.F.-I Licence — Possession of mhowra flowers (for non-sale purposes: distillation, scientific, agricultural, medicinal, educational, domestic use)
2. M.F.-II Licence — Sale of mhowra flowers (for traders, tree owners, recognized bodies)

Permit System:

• Form M.F.-III — Collection permit (from trees)
• Form M.F.-IV — Purchase permit
• Form M.F.-V — Transport permit
• Form M.F.-VI — Import pass
• Form M.F.-VII — Export pass

Record-Keeping:

• Form M.F.-A/M.F.-B — Accounts/returns for possession licensees
• Form M.F.-C/M.F.-D — Accounts/returns for sale licensees

CURRENT FEE STRUCTURE (as of 1988 amendments)

Application Fees:

• Licence application: ₹10 per application (Rule 4(1))

Permit Fees:

• Collection permit: ₹2 (Rule 10(1))
• Purchase permit: ₹2 (Scheduled Tribe) / ₹5 (others) (Rule 13(1))
• Transport permit: ₹2 (Scheduled Tribe) / ₹5 (others) (Rule 15(1))
• Import pass: ₹10 (Rule 18(1))
• Export pass: ₹10 (Rule 21(1))

Licence Fees:

• As specified in Schedule appended to rules (not included in excerpted pages)

OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS

Key Restrictions (M.F.-I & M.F.-II Licences):

1. Quantity limits: Fixed by Collector based on annual/monthly requirements
2. Storage: Only at licensed premises
3. Sales restrictions:
   • Within Maharashtra: Only to licensed holders with valid permits
   • Outside Maharashtra: Requires import authorization/NOC from destination authority
4. Operating hours: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Standard Time)
5. Account maintenance: Daily accounts in prescribed forms (paged and sealed books)
6. Monthly returns: Due by 5th of following month
7. Visit book: Mandatory for inspection records
8. Signboard display: Required at licensed premises

Non-transferability:

• No sub-letting or transfer without Collector's permission
• Partnership changes require prior disclosure/approval
• No automatic renewal rights

Validity:

• Standard licence period: 1 April to 31 March (annual)
• Renewable on payment of prescribed fees
• Possession licences may be granted for less than one year

EXEMPTIONS

Rule 22: Rules do not apply to:

1. Collection/transport/sale/purchase/possession under first proviso to Section 60(2) of BPA
2. Transport by rail permitted under second proviso to Section 60(2) of BPA

ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

Granting Authorities:

• Collector: Primary licensing authority
• Authorized Officer: Officer duly authorized by Commissioner (for certain permits)

Suspension/Cancellation:

• Licences may be suspended or cancelled under Sections 54 or 56 of BPA

EFFECTIVE DATES OF AMENDMENTS

• Original Rules: 22 June 1950
• Major amendments: 21 Sept 1950, 31 May 1954, 27 Sept 1960, 13 May 1963, 25 July 1963, 21 June 1982, 16 March 1988

Current Status: Rules as consolidated with all amendments through 16 March 1988

Note: This gazette is a CONSOLIDATION DOCUMENT presenting the complete rule text as amended over time, rather than a single discrete amendment. Fee schedules for M.F.-I and M.F.-II licences referenced in Rule 5(2) are stated to be "as specified in the Schedule appended to these rules" but those schedules are not included in the provided excerpts.