GAZETTE SUMMARY: BOMBAY MOLASSES RULES, 1955

Gazette Reference: G.N., R.D. No. 1169/51, dated 22nd July 1955 (with 23 subsequent amendments through 2020)
Type: Comprehensive Rules — Molasses Licensing and Control
Authority: Section 143 of the Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949
Summary: This is the complete text of the Bombay Molasses Rules, 1955, governing the possession, sale, import, export, and transport of molasses in Maharashtra. The rules establish a licensing framework for producers and users of molasses, prescribe fees, set storage and accounting requirements, and regulate movement of molasses within and outside the state.

KEY PROVISIONS

License Types and Fees

Form M-I (Producer License):

• For sugar/gur factory owners to possess and sell molasses produced at their factory
• Fee scale based on annual production:
  • ≤5,000 MT: ₹500

  • 5,000 to ≤10,000 MT: ₹1,000

  • 10,000 to ≤15,000 MT: ₹5,000

  • 15,000 to ≤20,000 MT: ₹7,500

  • 20,000 MT: ₹10,000

• Renewal: ₹5 application fee + same renewal fee annually

Form M-II (Possession/Use License):

• For non-producers to possess and use molasses
• Purpose-specific fees:
  • Government/educational/scientific/medicinal/sample purposes: ₹10
  • Agricultural purpose (with 10% liquid tar mixture): ₹10
  • Cattle feed: ₹100
  • Other purposes (tiered by quantity):
    • ≤1,000 MT: ₹100

    • 1,000 to ≤5,000 MT: ₹500

    • 5,000 to ≤10,000 MT: ₹1,000

    • 10,000 to ≤15,000 MT: ₹5,000

    • 15,000 to ≤20,000 MT: ₹7,500

    • 20,000 MT: ₹10,000

• Renewal: ₹5 application fee + same renewal fee

Form M-III (Sale License):

• For non-producers to possess and sell molasses
• Fee: ₹500 (inclusive of consideration)
• Renewal: ₹5 application fee + ₹500 renewal fee

Form M-III-A (Bago-Molasses for Cattle Feed):

• Simplified license for cattle feed only
• Fee: ₹5

Form M-IV (Import Permit):

• Fee: ₹50
• Four-part permit system

Form M-V (Export Permit):

• Fee: ₹50
• Requires import permit/NOC from receiving state
• Certificate from Director of Industries required

Form M-VI (Transport Permit):

• Fee: ₹1 per metric ton
• Four-part permit system

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

Storage Standards (Rule 22):

• All storage tanks must be steel, leak-proof, fully covered, serially numbered
• Electronic weighments conforming to BIS standards mandatory

Permitted Uses (Rules 3-6):

• Distillation of spirit/power alcohol in licensed distilleries
• Cattle feed
• Government, scientific, industrial, agricultural, educational, medicinal, sample purposes
• Sale only to other licensed holders

Supervision Provisions:

• Licensees must provide office accommodation and residential quarters for excise staff
• Pay quarterly supervision costs in advance
• Maintain visit books, registers, monthly statements
• Operations prohibited on Sundays/holidays without permission

Accounting Requirements:

• M-I: Forms M-A (tank-wise account), M-B (total stock), M-C (monthly statement)
• M-II: Forms M-D (receipt/use account), M-E (monthly statement)
• M-III: Forms M-F (receipt/sale account), M-G (monthly statement)
• All accounts in books paged and sealed by Collector/Mamledar/Tahsildar

Movement Restrictions:

• Import/export requires four-part permits
• Excise escort required for road transit (except tankers with revenue locks under supervision)
• Bulk must not be broken in transit without special permission

EXEMPTIONS GRANTED

{9} G.O. dated 16-10-1993: M-I licensees (producers) and authorized agents empowered to issue transport permits in Form M-VI

{10} G.O. dated 16-10-1993: Holders of Form M-VI transport permits exempted from Rule 21 (excise escort requirement) under certain conditions

{11} G.N. dated 24-04-1968: Distilleries exempted from Section 61 for sale of molasses/fermented liquids/washing/sludge to Executive Engineer, Field Unit Division, Bombay

{12} G.N. dated 24-04-1968: Executive Engineer, Field Unit Division, Bombay and authorized staff exempted from Section 27 for removal of molasses from distilleries

EFFECTIVE DATES

• Original Rules: 22nd July 1955
• Multiple amendments: 1956-2020 (23 amendments listed)
• Fee revisions: Most recent substantial changes in 1988, 1990, 2009, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020
• License period: Cannot exceed 31st March following commencement (M-I and M-II for government/scientific purposes may be granted for up to 3 years)

Note: This gazette represents a consolidation including all 23 listed amendments. Subsequent notifications {13}(A), (B), (C) appear incomplete in the provided text. Fractions of years count as complete years for fee calculation purposes.