Maharashtra eGazette Amendment Summary

Type of Change: Consolidated Reference Document — Bombay Neera Rules, 1951
Authority: Section 143 of Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949 (Bom. XXV of 1949)

Summary

This gazette is not a single amendment, but rather a compiled reference document presenting the complete Bombay Neera Rules, 1951 as they stood after 24 sequential amendments (from 1953 to 1994). The document includes:

1. G.O.H.D. No. MFL 1196-14-Exc-3 (27th August 1997): A standalone order requiring Collector's prior approval from the Commissioner of State Excise before granting import passes for Mhowra Flowers (Form MF-VI under Bombay Mhowra Flowers Rules, 1950).

2. The full text of the Bombay Neera Rules, 1951, showing all amendments up to 1994, governing:

   • Licensing for tapping neera-producing trees
   • Manufacturing gur and non-intoxicant articles from neera
   • Retail sale of neera for consumption
   • Quality standards, record-keeping, and regulatory compliance

Key Provisions (Neera Rules Framework)

Licence Types:

• Form N-I: Tapping trees for manufacturing gur/non-intoxicant articles (no fee)
• Form N-II: Tapping trees for domestic consumption (no fee)
• Form N-III: Retail sale of neera for consumption on premises (fee applicable, amount not specified in this gazette)
• Form N-IV: Tapping and supplying neera to manufacturers or retailers (no fee)

Quality Standards (Rule 2, inserted 1963): Neera of standard quality must be transparent, syrupy, sweet-smelling, foam-free, without tings, and free from acid/alcoholic fermentation.

Tapping Conditions (Rule 8):

• Minimum tree height: 152 cm from ground level
• Receptacles must be washed with permanganate of potash solution, then pure water, then treated with milk of lime (3 cc per 900 ml neera capacity)
• Trees must be marked with 23 cm² blue square containing tree number, license year, and purpose code (I, II, III, or IV)

Operating Hours (Rule 11, amended 1960): Neera shall not be drawn before 4:00 a.m. or after sunset (unless permitted by Commissioner)

Storage Restrictions:

• Manufacturing (Form N-I): Neera cannot be kept beyond the day drawn unless cold-stored at ≤4°C or boiled (boiled neera valid for 24 hours)
• Retail sale (Form N-III): Same storage rules apply; unsold neera may be removed to approved gur manufacturing place under transport pass
• Supply (Form N-IV): Same storage standards

Retail Sale Price (Rule 3, amended 1994): Maximum selling price:

• ₹3.00 per 200 ml in Municipal Corporation areas, Lonavala, Matheran, and Mahabaleshwar
• ₹2.50 per 200 ml in other areas

Record-Keeping (Rule 15, amended 1963): Licensees must maintain registers in prescribed forms:

• Form N-I/R: Daily drawing and manufacturing records
• Form N-III/R: Daily receipt and sales records
• Form N-IV/R: Daily drawing and supply records
• Form N-IV/NR: Register of N-I and N-III licensees supplied

Monthly returns (Forms N-I/S, N-III/S, N-IV/S) due by 7th of following month to local Inspector of Prohibition and Excise.

Authorisation Certificates (Rule 10):

• Agents/tappers must have signed authorisation certificate from licensee
• Must be countersigned by Inspector of Prohibition and Excise within 2 months
• No certificate valid for persons under 21 years of age

Effective Date: Bombay Neera Rules, 1951 effective from 26th June 1951; amendments effective from their respective notification dates (1953-1994).

Mhowra Flowers Order: Effective from 27th August 1997.

Note: This is a reference compilation, not a new regulatory change. The Mhowra Flowers order (1997) is the only substantive new directive in this gazette extract, requiring Collector to obtain Commissioner approval before issuing Mhowra flower import passes.