MAHARASHTRA eGAZETTE AMENDMENT SUMMARY

Document: Bombay Neera Rules, 1951 (with all amendments through 1994)
Type: Consolidated Rules (Non-Fee)
Authority: Section 143, Bombay/Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949

This gazette presents the complete consolidated text of the Bombay Neera Rules, 1951 (now applicable as Maharashtra Neera Rules), incorporating 24 amendments from 1953 to 1994. Below is a structured summary of the key provisions as they stand after all amendments:

CORE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Purpose: Regulation of neera (non-fermented palm sap) tapping, manufacturing, supply, and retail sale to prevent its fermentation into toddy (alcoholic beverage).

Scope: Four types of licences govern neera activities:

• Form N-I: Tapping trees for manufacturing gur (jaggery) or other non-intoxicant products
• Form N-II: Tapping for domestic consumption
• Form N-III: Retail sale for on-premise consumption
• Form N-IV: Tapping for supply to N-I or N-III licensees

KEY AMENDMENTS INTEGRATED

Quality Standards (Added 1963)

• Definition inserted: "Neera of standard quality" must be transparent, syrupy, sweet, foam-free, colorless, and without fermentation (Clause da, Rule 2)
• This became the enforceable benchmark for all neera transactions

Tapping Conditions (Amended 1963, 1970)

• Minimum tree height increased from unspecified to 152 cm
• Marking specifications changed to 23 cm × 23 cm blue square at 76 cm height
• Hygiene mandate: Receptacles must be washed with potassium permanganate solution, rinsed, then treated with milk of lime (3 cc per 900 ml neera)
• Coconut/palmyra tree markings exempted from directional restrictions (1970)

Storage and Transport (Amended 1970, 1984)

• Cold storage option added: Neera may be stored beyond drawing day if kept at ≤4°C, OR boiled (max 24 hours)
• Central collection allowed: N-IV licensees may centralize neera from multiple groves with Collector/Superintendent permission
• Freezing provision: N-IV licensees may freeze neera at intermediate facilities before delivery
• Time restrictions relaxed: Collection extended from 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM start time; evening transport permitted until 8:00 PM with permission
• Personal possession: As of 1984, persons 21+ may possess/transport 1 litre neera without permit if purchased from N-III licensee (G.O. 1984)

Fee Elimination (1972)

• No fee levied: Licenses in Forms N-I, N-II, N-III, N-IV explicitly marked "No fee leviable" (confirmed in Rule 10(2) referring to 1954 fee rules)

Retail Pricing (Amended 1994)

Latest retail price caps (Form N-III, Condition 3):

• ₹3.00 per 200 ml in Municipal Corporations and Lonavala/Matheran/Mahabaleshwar Hill Stations
• ₹2.50 per 200 ml elsewhere in Maharashtra

Record-Keeping (Modernized 1963)

• Daily registers mandatory: Forms N-I/R, N-III/R, N-IV/R, N-IV/NR
• Monthly returns due by 7th: Forms N-I/S, N-III/S, N-IV/S
• Pages must be serially numbered and sealed by Mamlatdar/Tahsildar

Authorisation Certificates (Amended 1960)

• Term changed from "Nokarinama" to "authorisation certificate"
• Must be countersigned by Inspector within 2 months of employee appointment
• Minimum age for tappers/agents: 21 years
• Failure to countersign voids certificate

ELIGIBILITY AND PROHIBITIONS

Disqualifications (Rule 7):
No license for anyone with direct/indirect interest in toddy shops/booths

License Period (Rule 4):
July 1 – June 30 (prorated if issued mid-term)

Tree Radius Limit (Rule 6):
Tapping limited to ½-mile radius from manufacturing place (Collector may extend for special reasons)

ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS

Inspection Powers (Rule 16):

• Sub-Inspectors and above may inspect premises/registers anytime
• Observations recorded in licensee's inspection book

Penalties (Rule 17):
License cancellation/suspension under BPA Sections 54 or 56 for rule violations, plus criminal penalties under the Act

Pass System (Rule 13):
Transport between locations requires valid pass (except N-II licensees moving neera to own residence)

AUXILIARY ORDERS

Import Order, 1974 (Entry 27)

• Neera may be imported into Maharashtra under Commissioner-issued import pass
• Must meet standard quality definition
• Valid only until June 30 of license year
• Sealed consignments; no breaking bulk in transit

Transport Powers, 1953 (Entry 25)

N-IV licensees and authorized servants may issue transport passes for neera movement to N-I/N-III licensees

Consumption Order, 1958 (Entry 28)

Cancelled in 1984 (details not provided in gazette)

FORM SPECIFICATIONS

Each license form contains 10-19 conditions covering:

• Tree marking/numbering protocols
• Fermentation prevention measures
• Quality maintenance requirements
• Inspection cooperation mandates
• Agent authorization procedures
• Record/return submission obligations
• Non-transferability clauses

All forms include standard disclaimer: "No claim to renewal after expiry" and "Collector has full discretion on transfer/succession."

Effective Status: These rules, as amended through 1994, remain the operative framework for neera regulation in Maharashtra under the renamed Maharashtra Prohibition Act.