Gazette Reference: No. FLR-0520/COVID/C.R.1/EXC-2, dated 11 May 2020 (Published in Maharashtra Government Gazette, Extra-Ordinary, Part IV-B, dated 12 May 2020)
Type: New Notification — COVID-19 Emergency Order (Home Delivery of Liquor)
Authority: Section 139(1)(f) and (n) of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949 (XXV of 1949); Bombay Liquor Rules, 1953
What Changed:
The Government of Maharashtra, in the context of the COVID-19 lockdown, issued a special order permitting FL-II, FL/BR-II, and FL/W-II licensees under the Bombay Liquor Rules, 1953 to sell and deliver IMFL (Spirits, Beer, Mild Liquor, and Wine) directly to the residential address of permit holders. This was a temporary departure from the standard requirement of over-the-counter sales only from licensed premises, introduced to allow lawful access to liquor without requiring permit holders to physically visit retail outlets during the lockdown period.
Key Details:
- Eligible Licence Types: FL-II, FL/BR-II (Beer & Restaurant), and FL/W-II (Wine) licences under the Bombay Liquor Rules, 1953
- Products Permitted for Home Delivery: IMFL – Spirits, Beer, Mild Liquor, and Wine
- Restriction on Product Type: Each licensee may only deliver the category of liquor for which they hold a licence (no cross-category sales)
- Order-Based Delivery Only: Delivery to a permit holder's residential address is permissible only upon receipt of a prior order placed by the permit holder
- Operational Restriction: Sales and dispatch must originate from within the licensed premises only, and only on permitted days and during permitted hours
- COVID Safety Compliance: Delivery personnel deployed by the licensee must wear masks and use hand sanitizers at frequent intervals; compliance to be ensured by the licensee
- Duration: The order remains operative only while lockdown orders issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (Act 53 of 2005) or any other applicable State law remain in force
- Modification/Rescission: The Government reserves the right to modify or rescind this order at any time at its discretion
Effective Date: 11 May 2020 (date of order); published 12 May 2020
Issued By: Valsa Nair Singh, Principal Secretary (Excise) to Government of Maharashtra