Gazette_ExciseServices

MAHARASHTRA RIGHT TO PUBLIC SERVICES ACT, 2015 – EXCISE SERVICES NOTIFICATION

Gazette Reference: No. MIS 1017/CR.229/EXC-2, dated 14th November, 2024
Type: Right to Public Services – Designation of Officers, Timelines, and Appellate Authorities
Authority: Section 3(1), Maharashtra Right to Public Services Act, 2015 (Mah. XXXI of 2015)
Supersedes: Government Notifications dated 28th December 2020 and 10th May 2022

Amended Rule/Section: Notification under Section 3(1) of the Maharashtra Right to Public Services Act, 2015

Type of Change: Supersession and Comprehensive Revision of Public Service Delivery Framework for State Excise Department

What Changed:

This notification supersedes previous notifications dated 28th December 2020 and 10th May 2022. It comprehensively notifies 134 excise-related public services to be delivered by the Commissioner of State Excise, Superintendents of State Excise offices, and subordinate offices across Maharashtra.

For each service, the notification specifies:

• Service name and legal basis (the relevant Rules under Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949)
• Stipulated time limit for service delivery (ranging from same-day issuance for transport passes to 45 working days for complex licensing approvals)
• Designated Officer (the officer legally responsible for delivering the service)
• First Appellate Authority (officer to hear first appeal against delay/refusal)
• Second Appellate Authority (final appellate authority)

This establishes a statutory framework for accountability and transparency in excise licensing and related services, empowering citizens to demand timely services and seek redress through two levels of appeals.

Key Details:

Scope of Services Covered (134 total):

• Molasses Licences (Forms M-1 to M-V): Grant, renewal, transfer, partner addition/deletion, import/export permits
• Manufacturing Licences:
  • Form-I (Distillation and Potable Liquor) – Renewal
  • PLL (Potable Liquor Licence) – Renewal
  • CL-1 (Country Liquor Manufacturing) – Renewal, transfer, partnership changes
  • BRL (Brewery/Microbrewery/Winery) – LOI, grant, renewal, transfer, shifting, partnership changes
• Denatured Spirit Licences (DS-1, DS-2, etc.) – Grant and renewal
• Retail Sale Licences:
  • FL-I, FL-II, FL-III, FL-IV (Foreign Liquor shops, bars, restaurants, clubs)
  • CL-II, CL-III (Country Liquor retail)
  • Toddy licences (TD-1, TD-5)
  • Neera licences (Form N-III, N-IV)
  • Wine/Beer specialty licences (FL/W-1, FL/W-2, FL/BR-2)
  • Form E and E-2 (Special Permits and Club Licences)
• Temporary/Event Licences (FL-4-A, one-day licences, venue registration)
• Consumer Permits (FL-XC annual/lifetime, FL-F one-day)
• Transport Passes (Form-II, PL-XI, BR-IX, CL-VI, CL-XIV, through-transport passes) – 1-2 working days
• Import/Export Permits (Form B, Form-I for export)
• Brand Registration (L-Form, K-Form for foreign/inter-state brands) – 30-45 working days
• Label Approvals (for manufacturers and importers)
• Rectified Spirit Licences (RS-2, RS-6, RS-6-A, RS-7)
• Opium-derivative substances (Mohafuli) Licences (MF-1, MF-2)
• CL/FL/TODD-III licences (Country Liquor sale with FL-2 shops)

Timelines:

• Immediate (same day): FL-F, CL-C one-day permits (upon receiving complete application at point of service)
• 1 working day: Transport passes (Form-II, PL-XI, BR-IX, CL-VI, CL-XIV, through-transport passes)
• 2 working days: FL-XC annual/lifetime permits; import/export permits (Form B, Form-I)
• 7 working days: M-IV/M-V (molasses import/export), temporary venue registration, mohafuli and neera licences (certain types)
• 15 working days: Renewal of most licences (molasses, retail, BRL microbrewery/winery, rectified spirit, special permits)
• 30 working days: Grant of new licences, transfer (within district for certain classes), partner changes, brand/label approvals
• 45 working days: FL-III and FL-IV restaurant/club licences (new grant), brand/label approvals (certain categories)

Designated Officers:

• Subordinate Inspector/Sub-Inspector: FL-XC, FL-F, CL-C one-day permits and transport passes (lowest tier, fastest services)
• Inspector: Through-transport passes, one-day permits
• Superintendent, State Excise: Most molasses licences, microbrewery/winery licences, retail FL-I/II/III, CL-II/III, toddy, neera, rectified spirit, special permits
• Divisional Deputy Commissioner: FL-I wholesale/import licences, certain CL-II/FL-2 services
• Deputy Commissioner (Inspection): CL-II/FL-2 state-wide transfers, through-transport passes
• Joint Commissioner: Renewals of Form-I (distillery), PLL, CL-1, BRL (large brewery), DS-1 (denaturant); brand/label approvals (L/K forms)

Appellate Authorities:

• First Appeal:
  • Inspector → Superintendent (for subordinate-level services)
  • Superintendent → Collector/Divisional Deputy Commissioner (for most retail licences)
  • Divisional Deputy Commissioner → Commissioner (for FL-I, CL-II large transfers)
  • Joint Commissioner → Commissioner (for manufacturing licences, brand approvals)
• Second Appeal:
  • Collector/Divisional Deputy Commissioner → Commissioner (retail licences within district)
  • Commissioner → Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/Secretary, State Excise (manufacturing licences, large transfers, brand approvals)

Effective Date: 14th November, 2024 (date of publication in Maharashtra Government Gazette)

Authority: Section 3(1), Maharashtra Right to Public Services Act, 2015, conferring power on the State Government to notify public services with stipulated time limits and designated officers.

By Order and in the name of the Governor of Maharashtra,
Sd/-
Ravindra Aute
Deputy Secretary to Government