महाराष्ट्र दारुबंदी (सुधारणा) अध्यादेश, 2019 आणि त्याअनुषंगाने मद्य बाळगण्याविषयी मर्यादा निश्चित करण्याबाबत पारित करण्यात आलेले शासन आदेश व्यपगत झाल्याबाबत - दि.24.02.2020

Gazette Reference: GR No. MIS-0919/PR.No.333/RAUShu-3, dated 24 February 2020 Type: Government Circular — Lapse of Ordinance and Related Government Order Authority: Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949; Bombay Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953, Rule 70(D)(6)

What Changed:

This circular notifies all concerned that the Maharashtra Prohibition (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 (Maharashtra Ordinance No. 25 of 2019), promulgated on 18 September 2019, has lapsed (व्यपगत) as it was not converted into a permanent Act within the prescribed period. It accordingly lapsed on 29 December 2019.

Consequentially, the Government Order dated 19 September 2019 — which had been published in the Official Gazette to prescribe the "prescribed limits" (vihit maryada) for possession of intoxicants (by quantity or monetary value) in the three prohibition districts of Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, and Wardha — has also lapsed along with the Ordinance.

Key Details:

• Districts affected: Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, and Wardha (prohibition districts under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949)
• Ordinance promulgated: 18 September 2019 (Maharashtra Ordinance No. 25 of 2019)
• Purpose of Ordinance: To amend prohibition law and enhance penalties in the three prohibition districts; introduced the definition of "prescribed limits" for possession of intoxicants
• Ordinance lapse date: 29 December 2019 (not converted into an Act within prescribed period)
• Government Order also lapsed: GR dated 19 September 2019 (fixing possession limits under the Ordinance) stands lapsed simultaneously
• Limits that REMAIN in force: Possession limits prescribed under the earlier Government Notifications referenced below continue to be valid:
  • GN No. FLR-1711/PR.No.82/RAUShu-2, dated 28 August 2015
  • GN No. FLR-1716/PR.No.167/RAUShu-2, dated 28 November 2016
  • These remain in force under the provisions of Rule 70(D)(6) of the Bombay Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953

Practical Effect: The enhanced possession-limit framework introduced by the 2019 Ordinance is no longer operative. The regulatory position reverts to the possession limits as prescribed by the 2015 and 2016 notifications. All field officers (Collectors, Divisional Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of State Excise) are directed to take note and act accordingly.

Effective Date: 29 December 2019 (date of lapse of Ordinance); Circular issued 24 February 2020 for information and action

Authority: Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949; Bombay Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953, Rule 70(D)(6)