Liquor made from cashew fruits and mahua flowers is now classified as foreign liquor in Maharashtra

On Wednesday, the state cabinet approved a change in the category of liquor manufacturing from cashew fruits and mahua flowers to international liquor from country liquor. The state excise department will require distillation and international liquor manufacturing licences from the manufacturers. The single window technique will be used to supply these licences.

 

About six lakh tonnes of cashew fruits are grown in Maharashtra, yielding roughly 53 litres of alcohol every tonne. The state produces 1.17 lakh tonnes of mahua flowers, which yields roughly 320 litres of alcohol each tonne. Excise duty is expected to bring in an additional Rs 400 crore to the state government over time.

 

"At the moment, there are constraints on marketing and value addition," a senior state excise department officer told the Free Press Journal. Production can be enhanced if it is classified as a foreign liquor, and manufacturers can engage in substantial marketing and value addition. Farmers will be able to earn more money, and the state government will be able to collect more excise duty." Farmers can now create and market liquor made from Jamun fruit, grapes and custard apple under the foreign liquor category, according to him.

 

The cabinet also approved the introduction of two new sealed foreign liquor retail licence categories in the state, namely super-premium outlet and elite outlet, based on area and amenities. This will be accomplished without expanding the number of foreign liquor retail establishments. A minimum of 71 sq mt and a maximum of 600 sq mt will be required for a super-premium outlet licence, while a minimum of 601 sq mt and a maximum of 600 sq mt will be required for an elite outlet licence.

 

 

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