Sacramental Wine

Summary: The Bombay Sacramental Wine Rules, 1949-1988

This gazette presents the consolidated text of two separate rule frameworks governing sacramental wine in Maharashtra under Chapter XII of the Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949. Both sets of rules have been amended multiple times between 1950-1988.

PART 1: THE BOMBAY SACRAMENTAL WINE (MANUFACTURING) RULES, 1950

Original Notification: G.N., R.D. No. 7167/39(a), dated 4th May 1950
Subsequent Amendments: 1950, 1957, 1962, 1963 (twice), 1988
Authority: Section 143, Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949

What the Rules Cover:

These rules establish the licensing and operational framework for manufacturing sacramental wine in Maharashtra, specifically wine prepared from raisins for use in Roman Catholic Mass or other sacramental purposes.

Key Provisions:

1. Licensing:

   • Regional heads of religion/religious sects may apply to the Collector for a manufacturing license (Form S.W. II)
   • License fee: Rs. 50 (as amended in 1988, previously lower)
   • License period: Maximum 1 year, not extending beyond March 31
   • Requires detailed application including manufactory plans, vessel specifications, distribution plans, and past manufacturing history

2. Manufacturing Standards:

   • Exclusive ingredient: Only raisins permitted — no sugar, fermenting agents, or other additives allowed
   • Prescribed process: 15-day fermentation using 11:10 water-to-raisin ratio (100 liters water per 91 kg raisins), crushing after 48 hours, filtration through sack-cloth, bottling after sulphur treatment
   • Strength limit: Not exceeding 20% proof spirit
   • Manufacturing must occur under supervision of Officer-in-charge at licensed manufactory

3. Duties and Fees (per liter):

   • Excise duty: 22 naye paise (₹0.22)
   • Transport fee: 4 naye paise (₹0.04)
   • Special fee: 12 naye paise (₹0.12)
   • Total: ₹0.38 per liter (rates from 1957 amendment)
   • Payment required before any wine issued from manufactory

4. Distribution Controls:

   • Wine may only be sold/distributed to holders of valid authorizations
   • Requires advance intimation (Form B) to Treasury Office/Chief Accounts Officer before issuance
   • Transport requires quintuplicate transport pass (Form S.W. III) — parts distributed to Officer-in-charge, licensee, consignee, and Inspector at destination
   • Licensee must verify authorization balance and record each sale in authorization document

5. Record-keeping:

   • Maintain accounts, monthly manufacturing chart (Form C), and visit book
   • Premises, accounts, and stock open to inspection at all reasonable hours
   • Documents surrendered to Collector upon license expiry/cancellation

6. Government Manufacturing:

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

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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Inspection Rights:

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

6. 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)

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)

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.