Sacramental Wine

Government Manufacturing:

• Government may manufacture sacramental wine without license
• Same rules apply to government operations where applicable

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PART 2: THE BOMBAY SACRAMENTAL WINE RULES, 1950

Original Notification: G.N. R.D., No. 716/39, dated 4th May 1950
Subsequent Amendments: 1950 (twice), 1957, 1962, 1973, 1988
Authority: Section 143, Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949

What the Rules Cover:

These rules govern authorization for individual possession, purchase, and use of sacramental wine/liquor by religious practitioners.

Key Provisions:

1. Authorization System:

   • Religious practitioners requiring wine/liquor for sacramental purposes must obtain authorization from Collector
   • Application form (SW/A-1) costs: 50 naye paise (₹0.50)
   • Authorization fee: Rs. 25 (as amended in 1988)
   • Requires certificate of recommendation from State-approved religious head or approved community member

   • Quantity Limits:

     • Determined by Commissioner based on certificate of recommendation
     • Maximum possession at any time: quantity specified in authorization (in quart bottles)
     • Cannot exceed quantity specified in religious head's recommendation

     • Purchase and Transport:

       • Wine/liquor must be obtained only from:
         • Licensed manufacturer of sacramental wine
         • Government depot
         • Licensed depot
         • All purchases must be entered in authorization by depot-keeper/manufacturer
         • No transport pass required if wine transported same day from purchase point to authorized premises
         • For other transport, holder must carry authorization document

         • Usage Restrictions:

           • Wine/liquor used solely for sacramental purposes
           • Must be stored under lock and key
           • Only required quantity drawn from stock for specific religious ceremony
           • May be given to persons of same religion for sacramental use without additional authorization
           • Cannot be delivered to persons outside the religion

           • Inspection Rights:

             • Authorization, premises, and stock subject to inspection by officers empowered under Section 77(a) BPA

             • Approved Religious Authorities (1962/1965 Government Resolution):

               The gazette includes a comprehensive schedule of 11 categories of approved persons authorized to issue recommendation certificates:

               Christian (Roman Catholic):

               • Cardinal Archbishop/Bishop of Bombay (Greater Bombay residents)
               • Bishop of Poona (8 districts: Thana, Kolaba, Ratnagiri, Nasik, Dhulia, Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, Poona, Satara, Sangli, Sholapur, Kolhapur)
               • Archbishop of Nagpur (4 districts: Nagpur, Bhandara, Wardha, Chanda)
               • Bishop of Amravati + Assistant Chaplain at Aurangabad (8 districts: Amravati, Akola, Yeotmal, Buldana, Aurangabad, Parbhani, Nanded, Bhir, Osmanabad)

               Christian (Protestant):

               • Seven regional Archdeacons/Bishops covering all districts of Maharashtra

               Other Communities:

               • Minister, Church of Scotland (Scots Kirk community)
               • Vicar, Armenian Church of St. Peter (Armenian Christians)
               • Chairman, Central Jewish Board (Jewish community)
               • Trustees, Parsi Panchayat (Parsi community, Greater Bombay)
               • Head Priests of Parsi Fire Temples at Nagpur and Kadarabad (Parsi communities in respective districts)

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               FORMS PROVIDED:

               Manufacturing Rules:

               • Form S.W. II: Manufacturing License
               • Form A: Intimation of Manufacture (quadruplicate)
               • Form B: Intimation of Issue (quadruplicate)
               • Form S.W. III: Transport Pass (quintuplicate — 5 parts with different purposes)
               • Form C: Monthly Manufacturing Chart

               Authorization Rules:

               • Form S.W./A-1: Application for Authorization
               • Form S.W. I: Authorization Document (includes purchase record table on reverse)

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               HISTORICAL CONTEXT:

               These rules have undergone 12 amendments between 1950-1988, primarily updating:

               • Fees (significant increases in 1988)
               • Administrative designations (Revenue Dept → Prohibition & Excise Dept)
               • Measurement units (gallons/pounds → liters/kilograms in 1962)
               • Currency (decimal system in 1957)
               • Geographic coverage (Bombay State → Maharashtra State post-1960 reorganization)

               The dual-rule structure reflects the regulatory distinction between commercial religious manufacturing (Manufacturing Rules) and individual religious use (Authorization Rules) under the prohibition framework.