ANALYSIS: MAHARASHTRA eGAZETTE NOTIFICATION
Gazette Reference: No. MIS 1017/CR 229/EXC-2, dated 21 December 2018
Type of Change: New Notification — Right to Public Services
Authority: Maharashtra Right to Public Services Act, 2015, Section 3(1)
SUMMARY
This is NOT an amendment to the Bombay Prohibition Act or its subordinate rules. Instead, it is a notification under the Maharashtra Right to Public Services Act, 2015, designating timelines, designated officers, and appellate authorities for eight specific excise services provided by the State Excise Department and its subordinate offices.
The notification ensures accountability and time-bound service delivery to eligible citizens by establishing:
- Service timelines (ranging from 1 to 30 working days)
- Designated Officers responsible for each service
- Two-tier appellate mechanism (First and Second Appellate Authorities)
SERVICES COVERED (8 Total)
1. Form DS-I License (Denatured Spirit)
- Service: License for denaturation of Indian-made rectified spirit/absolute alcohol under bond and warehouse sale
- Governing Rules: Bombay Denatured Spirit Rules, 1959
- Timeline: 15 working days from complete application
- Designated Officer: Commissioner, State Excise
- First Appeal: Principal Secretary, State Excise
- Second Appeal: Hon. Minister, State Excise
2. Form K Registration Certificate
- Service: Certificate of registration for manufacturers of IMFL/Beer/Wine situated outside Maharashtra to sell their brands in Maharashtra
- Governing Rules: Maharashtra Foreign Liquor (Import & Export) Rules, 1963
- Timeline: 15 working days
- Designated Officer: Commissioner, State Excise
- Appeals: Principal Secretary → Hon. Minister
3. FL-I Authorization (Customs Release)
- Service: Authorization for FL-I licensees to remove imported foreign liquor from customs frontier or customs bond
- Governing Rules: Bombay Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953
- Timeline: 10 working days
- Designated Officer: Commissioner, State Excise
- Appeals: Principal Secretary → Hon. Minister
4. CL-III License Shifting
- Service: Transfer/shifting of CL-III (Country Liquor) retail license location
- Applicability: Except Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts
- Governing Rules: Maharashtra Country Liquor Rules, 1973
- Timeline: 30 working days
- Designated Officers:
- Within Taluka: District Collector
- Taluka to Taluka (same district): Commissioner, State Excise
- Appeals: Commissioner → Principal Secretary → Hon. Minister
5. FL-II License Shifting
- Service: Transfer/shifting of FL-II (Foreign Liquor retail) license location
- Applicability: Except Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts
- Governing Rules: Bombay Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953
- Timeline: 30 working days
- Designated Officers:
- Within Taluka: District Collector
- Taluka to Taluka (same district): Commissioner, State Excise
- Appeals: Commissioner → Principal Secretary → Hon. Minister
6. CL-III / FL-II Name Transfer
- Service: Transfer of CL-III or FL-II license from one person/entity name to another
- Timeline: 30 working days
- Designated Officer: District Collector
- Appeals: Commissioner → Principal Secretary
7. CL-III / FL-II Partner Addition/Deletion
- Service: Addition or deletion of partners in CL-III or FL-II licenses
- Timeline: 30 working days
- Designated Officer: District Collector
- Appeals: Commissioner → Principal Secretary
8. FL-IV-A Temporary Club License
- Service: Temporary license for special events/functions (clubs)
- Timeline: 1 working day (fastest service)
- Designated Officer: Superintendent, State Excise
- First Appeal: Divisional Deputy Commissioner, State Excise
- Second Appeal: Commissioner, State Excise
KEY FEATURES
Timelines:
- Services range from 1 working day (temporary event licenses) to 30 working days (license transfers/modifications)
- All timelines calculated from date of complete application with mandatory documents
Designated Officers:
- Hierarchy: Superintendent → Collector → Commissioner → Principal Secretary → Hon. Minister
- Jurisdiction varies by service type and geographic scope
Appellate Mechanism:
- Two levels of appeal guaranteed under Right to Services Act
- Final appellate authority is Hon. Minister, State Excise (for most services)
Effective Date: 21 December 2018 (date of publication)
PRACTICAL IMPACT
This notification does not change fees, conditions, or eligibility for excise licenses. It establishes service delivery standards under the Maharashtra Right to Public Services Act, 2015, enabling citizens to:
- Expect time-bound decisions
- Know the responsible officer for their application
- Appeal delays or rejections through a defined hierarchy
Officers failing to meet these timelines may face accountability measures under the Right to Services Act.