UNITED PROVINCES EXCISE ACT 1910

THE UNITED PROVINCES EXCISE ACT, 1910

U. P. Act No. IV of 1910

18th December, 1909

WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law in force in the United Provinces relating to the import, export, transport, manufacture, sale and possession of intoxicating liquor and of intoxicating drugs ; 2[And whereas in order to promote, enforce and carry into effect the policy of prohibition, it is necessary to authorize the State Government to prohibit the import, export, transport, manufacture, sale and possession of liquor and of intoxicating drugs in the United Provinces or in any specified area or areas thereof ;] It is hereby enacted as follows ; 1. For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gazette, 1909, Pt. VII, p. 106. 2. Ins. by s. 2 of U. P. Act III of 1941, made by the Governor or in exercise of the powers assumed by him under s. 93 of the Government of India Act, 1935 as continued by U. P. Act XIII of 1948.

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S.20A Omitted

¹[xxxx]

S.20B Omitted

¹[xxxx]

S.24A Grant of exclusive or other privilege in respect of foreign liquor

¹[24-A. (1) Subject to the provisions of section 31, the Excise Commissioner may grant to any person a license or licenses for the exclusive or other privilege, —

(a) of manufacturing or of supply by wholesale, or of both ; or

(b) of manufacturing or of supplying by wholesale, or of both and selling by retail ; or

²[(d) of selling by retail at shops (for consumption ‘on’ or ‘off’ the premises or for consumption ‘on’ and ‘off’ the premises) any foreign liquor in any locality. ]

(2) The grant of license or licenses under clause (d) of sub-section (1) in relation to any locality shall be without prejudice to the grant of licenses for the retail sale

S.24AA Added of sec 24AA

¹[24-AA. Notwithstanding any judgment, decree or order of any court to the contrary, anything done or purporting to have been done, and any action taken or purporting to have been taken unde any provision of this Act, before the date of publication of the Uttar Pradesh Excise (Amendment) Act, 2018 shall be valid and be deemed always to have been valid as if the provision of this Act as amended by the said Act were in force at all material times.]

S.24B Removal of doubts

¹[24-B. For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared —

(a) that the State Government has an exclusive right or privilege of manufacture and sale of country liquor and foreign liquor ;

(b) that the amount described as license fee in clause (c) of section 41 is in its essence the rental or consideration for the grant of such right or privilege by the State Government ;

(c) that the Excise Commissioner as the head of the Excise Department of the State shall be deemed, while determining or realizing such fee, to act for and on behalf of the State Government.]

S.28A Imposition of additional duty in certain cases

¹[28-A. (1) Where the quantity of spirit or beer in stock in a brewery is found, in examination by such officer if the Excise Department as may be authorized by the Excise Commissioner in this behalf to exceed the quantity in hand as shown in the stock account, the brewery shall be liable to pay duty on such excess at the ordinary rates fixed under section 28.

(2) Where the quantity of spirit or beer is found less than that shown in the stock account on such examination and deficiency exceeds ten per cent, (allowance to that extent being made to cover losses due to evaporation, sullage and other contingencies within the brewery, and also to cover loss in bottling and storage) the Excise Commissioner shall levy an additional duty at the rate of one hundred per cent of ordinary rates of duty in respect of such deficit as exceeds ten per cent over and above the ordinary rates of duty. ]

S.30A Saving for duties being levied at commen-cement of the Constitution

¹[30-A. (1) Until provision to the contrary is made by the ²[Parliament] the ³[State Government] may continue to levy any duty to which this section applies which it was lawfully levying immediately before the commencement of ⁴[the Constitution] under this chapter as then in force.

(2) The duties to which this section applies are

(a) any duty on intoxicants ⁵[or medicinal or toilet preparations containing alcohol] which are not excisable articles within the meaning of this Act ; and

(b) any duty on an excisable article produced outside India and imported into ⁶[Uttar Pradesh] whether across a customs frontier as defined by the Central Government customs frontier as defined by the Central Government or not.

(3) Nothing in this section shall authorize the levy by the

S.36A Bar to right of renewal and compen-sation

¹[36-A. No person to whom a license has been granted under this Act shall have any claim to the renewal of such license or any claim for compensation on the determination or non-renewal thereof.]

S.37A Prohibition of import, export, transport, possession or consumption of intoxicants

¹[37-A. (1) Subject to the provisions in sub-section (4), the import or export of any intoxicating into or from Uttar Pradesh or any part thereof or the transport of any intoxicant shall be prohibited.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 20, but subject to the provision of sub-section (4), the possession or consumption by any person or class of persons or subject to such exceptions, if any, as may be specified, by all persons in Uttar Pradesh or in any specified area or areas thereof, of any intoxicant shall absolutely or subject to such conditions as may be specified, be prohibited.

(3) In pursuance of the policy of gradual extension of prohibition in the State and having regard to the administrative convenience, the State Government may from time to time select different areas in that behalf after taking into account any one or more of the following factors, namely :

S.38A Interest on arrears of excise revenue

¹[38-A. (1) Where any excise revenue has not been paid within three months from the date on which it become payable, interest at such rate not exceeding twenty-four per cent per annum, as may be prescribed, shall be payable from the date such excise revenue becomes payable till the date of actual payment ;

Provided that until a higher rate is prescribed, the rate of interest will be eighteen per cent per annum ;

Provided further that in respect of an excise revenue which became payable before the commencement of the Uttar Pradesh Excise (Amendment) Act, 1985 interest at the said rate shall be payable from the date of such commencement if the excise revenue is not paid within 3 months of the said date.

Explanation :— Nothing in this sub-section shall be construed

S.60A Penalty for mixing noxious substance with intoxicant and selling of noxious substance under the garb of intoxicant

¹[60-A. Whoever, adulterates or causes to be adulterated any intoxicant by mixing any other substance or foreign ingredient to make such intoxicant noxious or sells, offers or makes or causes to be sold or offered or made available such noxious intoxicant or any other noxious substance for consumption in the garb of an intoxicant, likely to cause disability or hurt or grievous hurt or death or any other consequential injury to human beings, shall be punished ;

(a) if as a result of such an act, death is caused, with death or imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees but shall not be less than five lakh rupees ;

(b) if as a result of such an act, disability or grievous hurt is caused, with imprisonment for life or rigorous imprisonment which may extend to ten years but shall not be less than six years and with f

S.60B Omitted

¹[****]

S.64A Penalty for adulteration etc. by licenced vendor or manufacturer

¹[64-A. (1) ²[ X X X X ]

(2) Whoever, being the holder of a licence for the sale or manufacture of any intoxicant under this Act, or a person in the employ of such holder sells or keeps or exposes for sale, as foreign liquor, which he knows or has reason to believe to be country liquor, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with fine which may extend to ³[five thousand rupees];

Provided that the punishment shall not be less than —

(i) imprisonment for three months and fine of ⁴[two thousand rupees] for the first offence, and

(ii) imprisonment for six months and fine of ⁵[three thousand rupees] for each of the second and subsequent offences.

S.69A Demand for security for abstaining from commission of certain offences

¹[69-A. (1) Whenever any person is convicted of an offence punishable under the provisions of ²[section 60, section 60-A, section 62, section 63 or of section 65] the court convicting such person may, at the time of passing the sentence on such person order him to execute a bond for a sum proportionate to his means, with or without sureties, to abstain from the commission of any offence punishable under the said provisions during such period not exceeding three years as it may direct.

(2) The provisions of the Code of Criminal procedure, ³[1973] shall mutatis mutandis apply to all matters connected with such bond s if it were a bond to keep the peace ordered to be executed under section 106 of the said Code.

S.69B Penalty for abetment

¹[69-B. Whoever abets an offence punishable under this Act shall, whether such offence be or be not committed in consequence of such abetment and notwithstanding anything contained in section 116 of the Indian Penal Code, be punished on conviction for such abetment with the same punishment as is provided for the principal offence.]

S.69C Offence by companies

¹[69-C. (1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, every person who at the time the offence was committed was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for ] the conduct of its business, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly ;

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.

S.71A Provisions regarding pardon, etc. to apply Offences under the Act

¹[71-A. The provisions of sections 306 and 308 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 shall apply in relation to offences punishable under this Act as they apply in relation to offences mentioned in section 306 of the said Code. ]

S.73A Order for destroying confiscated intoxicant.

¹[73-A. Where any intoxicant is confiscated under section 72 or section 73, the Collector, may, subject to any order passed in that behalf by any court if in his opinion the confiscated intoxicant is not fit for human consumption or if the confiscated intoxicant cannot be stored or preserved, order the intoxicant to be destroyed notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act :

Provided that the intoxicant shall not be destroyed except after expiration of two months from the date of confiscation or where an application for review or an appeal against the order of confiscation is pending except in accordance with the order passed in such, review or appeal in this regard :

Provided further that any order for destruction of the intoxicant under this section shall not be passed without providing opportunity of

S.74A Imposition of penalty

¹[74-A. (1) If a holder of a license, permit or pass granted under this Act or an employee of such holder contravenes any of the conditions of the license, permit or pass or any rule made under this Act, Excise Officer authorized by the State Government in this behalf may impose a penalty not exceeding ²[one lakh rupees].

(2) No order imposing a penalty shall be made under subsection (1) unless the holder of the license, permit or pass or the employee concerned is given .

(a) a notice in writing informing him of the grounds on which it is proposed to proceed under this section ;.

(b) a reasonable opportunity of making a representation in writing, within such time as may be specified in the notice, against such ground ; and.

S.Chapter I PRELIMINARY AND DEFINITIONS

S.1 Short title and extent

(1) This Act may be called the United Provinces Excise Act, 1910, and

(2) It 3extends to the whole of 4[Uttar Pradesh].

3. This Act has been extended to the areas mentioned in column 1 of this table under the Act or Order mentioned in column 2 and enforced in such areas under notification, if any mentioned in column 3 with effect from the date mentioned in column 43 against each such area :

4. Subs. by the A. O. 1950, for (the United Provinces).

S.2 Repeal of enactments

The enactments mentioned in the schedule are repealed to the extent specified in the fourth column thereof.

S.3 Interpretation

In this Act, unless there is something repugnant in the subject or context —

(1) “excise revenue” means revenue derived or derivable from any duty, fee, tax, fine (other than a fine imposed by a court of law), or confiscation imposed or ordered under the provisions of this Act, or of any other law for the time being in force relating to liquor or intoxicating drugs ;
(2) “excise officer” means a Collector or any officer or person appointed or invested with powers under section 10 ;
(3) “Excise Commissioner” means the officer appointed by the 1[State Government] under section 10, sub-section (2) clause (a) ;
(3-a) “excise duty” and “countervailing duty” means any such excise duty or countervailing duty, as the case may be, as is mentioned in 3[entry 51] of List II in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution] ;
(4) “manufactory” means a unit other than a distillery, where Indian made foreign liquor is manufactured

S.4 Power of State Government to declare what is to be deemed liquor

(1) The [State Government] may by notification declare any substance to be “liquor” for the purposes of this Act or any portion thereof.

(2) The [State Government] may, in like manner and for the like purpose declare what shall be deemed to be “country liquor” and “foreign liquor” respectively.

S.5 Country liquor and foreign liquor

[xxx]

S.6 Power of State Government to declare limit of sale by retail

(1) The [State Government] may by notification declare, with respect either to the whole of [Uttar Pradesh] or to any local area comprised therein and as regards purchasers, generally or any specified class of purchasers, and generally for any specified occasion, what quantity of any [intoxicant] shall, for the purposes of this Act, be the limit of sale by retail.

(2) The sale of any [intoxicant] in any quantity in excess of such quantity as the [State Government] has under sub-section (1) declared to be the limit of sale by retail shall be deemed to be sale by wholesale.

S.7 Possession of intoxicant by wife, clerk servant

When any [intoxicant] is in the possession of a person’s wife, clerk or servant on account of that person, it shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be in the possession of that person.

Explanation—A person employed temporarily or on a particular occasion in the capacity of a clerk or servant is a clerk or servant within the meaning of this section.

S.8 Saving of enactments

Save as provided by the schedule nothing contained in this Act shall affect the provisions of the Sea Customs Act, 1878, the Cantonments Act, 1889, or the Indian Tariff Act, 1894, or any rule or order made thereunder.

S.Chapter II ESTABLISHMENT AND CONTROL

S.9 Administration of Excise Department in districts

[xxx]

S.10 Power of State Government

(1) The administration of the Excise Department in any district shall, unless the [State Government] otherwise directs, be under the charge of the Collector of that district.

(2) The [State Government] may by notification applicable to the whole of [Uttar Pradesh] or to any district or local area comprised therein —

(a) [appoint an officer hereinafter referred to as the Excise Commissioner, who shall, subject to the orders of the [State Government] have the control of the administration of the Excise Department.]
(b) [constitute a licensing board or] appoint any person other than Collector to exercise all or any of the powers and to perform all or any of the duties of a Collector in respect of the administration of the Excise Department either concurrently with or in subordination to or in exclusion of the Collector, subject to such control as the [State Government] may direct ;
(c) empower officer to perform the acts and duties mentioned in se

S.11 Appeal and revision

(1) The Collector, and every other Excise Officer (not being the Excise Commissioner) shall, in respect of all proceedings under this Act, be subject to the control of the Excise Commissioner and all orders passed by Collector or such other officer under this Act, shall be appealable to the Excise Commissioner in the manner prescribed by rules made by the State Government in this behalf ;

Provided that no appeal shall be entertained under this sub-section unless it is preferred by the aggrieved person within thirty days from the date of communication of such order, and unless the appellant has furnished satisfactory proof of having paid a sum of not less than 25 per cent of the disputed amount of tax, fee, penalty or other dues, if any, as the case may be ;

Provided further that the appellate authority may, for special and adequate reasons to be recorded in writing, waive or relax the requirements of the preceding proviso in respect of such disputed amount of tax, fee

S.Chapter III IMPORT, EXPORT AND TRANSPORT

S.12 Import of intoxicants

(1) No [intoxicant] shall be imported unless —

(a) the [State Government] has given permission either general or special, for its import ;
(b) such conditions (if any) as the [State Government] may impose have been satisfied ; and
(c) the duty (if any) imposed under section 28 has been paid or a bond has been executed for the payment thereof.

(2) Sub-section (1) shall not apply to any article which has been imported into [xxx] India and was liable on such importation to duty under the Indian Tariff Act, [1894], or the Sea Customs Act, 1878.

(3) [xxx]

S.13 Export and transport of intoxicants

No [intoxicant] shall be exported or transported unless —

(a) the duty (if any) imposed under section 28, or
(b) If the article was previously imported, the duty (if any) imposed on its importation under the Indian Tariff Act, 1894, or the Sea Customs Act, 1878, has been paid, or a bond has been executed for the payment thereof.

S.14 Omitted

[xxx]

S.15 Passes necessary for import, export and transport

No [intoxicant] exceeding such quantity as the [State Government] may prescribe by [notification], either generally for the whole of [Uttar Pradesh], or for any local area comprised therein, shall be imported, exported or transported except under a pass issued under the provisions of the next following section ;

Provided that, in the case of duty-paid foreign liquor other than denatured spirit such passes shall be dispensed with unless the [State Government] shall by notification otherwise direct to any local area ;

Provided also, unless the [State Government] shall otherwise direct, that no pass shall be required for the transport of any [intoxicant] exported under a pass issued by an officer duly authorized in this behalf from any place beyond the limits of [Uttar Pradesh] to any other place beyond the said limits.

S.16 Grant of passes for import, export and transport

Passes for the import, export or transport of [intoxicants] may be granted by the Collector.

Such passes may be either general for the definite periods and kinds of [intoxicant] or special for specified occasions and particular consignments only.

S.Chapter IV MANUFACTURE, POSSESSION AND SALE

S.17 Manufacture of intoxicants prohibited except under the provision of this Act

(1) (a) No [intoxicant] shall be manufactured ;

(b) no hemp plant (cannabis sativa) shall be cultivated ;

(c) no portion of the hemp plant (cannabis sativa) from which any intoxicating drug can be manufactured shall be collected ;

(d) no liquor shall be bottled for sale ; and

(e) no person shall use, keep or have in his possession any materials, still, utensil, implement or apparatus whatsoever for the purpose of manufacturing any [intoxicant] other than tari.

Except under the authority and subject to the terms and conditions of a license granted in that behalf by the Collector.

(2) No distillery [brewery or manufactory] shall be constructed or worked except under the authority and subject to the terms and conditions of a license granted in that behalf by the Excise Commissioner under section 18.

S.18 Establishment or licensing of distilleries and warehouses

The Excise Commissioner may —

(a) establish a distillery in which spirit may be manufactured under a license granted under section 17 on such conditions as the [State Government] deems fit to impose ;
(b) discontinue any distillery so established ;
(c) license, on such conditions as the [State Government] deems fit to impose the construction and working of a distillery [brewery or manufactory.]
(d) establish or license a warehouse wherein any [intoxicant] may be deposited and kept without payment of duty ; and
(e) discontinue any warehouse so established.

S.19 Removal of intoxicants from distillery, etc.

No [intoxicant] shall be removed from any distillery [brewery, manufactory] warehouse or other place of storage established under this Act unless the duty (if any) [payable under Chapter V] has been paid or a bond has been executed for the payment thereof.

S.20 Possession of intoxicants in excess of the quantity prescribed by State Government prohibited except under permit

(1) No person not being licensed to manufacture, cultivate, collect or sell any [intoxicant] shall have in his possession any quantity of any [intoxicant] in excess of such quantity as the [State Government] has under section 6 declared to be the limit of sale by retail except under a permit granted by the Collector in that behalf.

(2) [xxx]

(3) A licensed vendor shall not have in his possession, at any place other than that authorized by his license, any quantity of any [intoxicant] in excess of such quantity as the [State Government] has under section 6 declared to be the limit of sale by retail, except under a permit granted by the Collector in that behalf.

(4) [xxx]

S.20-A Omitted

S.20-B Omitted

S.21 Sale of intoxicants without license prohibited

No [intoxicant] shall be sold without a license from the Collector : provided that —

(1) a person licensed under section 17 to cultivate or collect hemp plant (cannabis sativa) may sell without a license those portions of the plant from which any intoxicating drug can be manufactured to any person licensed under this Act to deal in the same or to any officer whom the Excise Commissioner may prescribe ;
(2) a license for sale in more than one district of [Uttar Pradesh] shall be granted only by the Excise Commissioner ;
(3) [xxx]

S.22 Prohibition of sale to persons under the age of “twenty-one years”

No licensed vendor and no person in the employment of such vendor and acting on his behalf shall sell or deliver any [liquor] or intoxicating drug to any person apparently under the age of [twenty-one years] whether for consumption by such person or by any other person and whether for consumption on or off the premises of such vender.

S.23 Prohibition of employment of persons under the age of 11 [twenty-one years] and of women

(1) No person who is licensed to sell [liquor] for consumption on his premises shall during the hours in which such premises are kept open for business, employ or permit to be employed, either with or without remuneration, any [person] under the age of [twenty-one years], in any part of such premises in which such liquor or spirit is consumed by the public.

(2) No person who is licensed to sell foreign liquor for consumption on his premises shall, without the previous permission in writing of the [Excise Commissioner] during the hours in which such premises are kept open for business, employ or permit to be employed either with or without remuneration, any woman in any part of such premises in which liquor is consumed by the public.

(3) Every permission granted under sub-section (2) shall be endorsed on the license, and may be modified or withdrawn.

S.24 Grants of exclusive privilege of manufacture, etc.

Subject to the provisions of section 31, the Excise Commissioner may grant to any person a license for the exclusive privilege —

(1) of manufacturing or of supplying by wholesale, or of both, or
(2) of selling by wholesale or by retail, or
(3) of manufacturing or of supplying by wholesale, or of both, and of selling by retail,

any country liquor or intoxicating drug within any local area.

S.24-A Grant of exclusive or other privilege in respect of foreign liquor

(1) Subject to the provisions of section 31, the Excise Commissioner may grant to any person a license or licenses for the exclusive or other privilege, —

(a) of manufacturing or of supply by wholesale, or of both ; or
(b) of manufacturing or of supplying by wholesale, or of both and selling by retail ; or
(c) of selling by wholesale (to wholesale or retail vendors) ; or
(d) of selling by retail at shops (for consumption ‘on’ or ‘off’ the premises or for consumption ‘on’ and ‘off’ the premises) any foreign liquor in any locality.

(2) The grant of license or licenses under clause (d) of sub-section (1) in relation to any locality shall be without prejudice to the grant of licenses for the retail sale of foreign liquor in the same locality in hotels and restaurants for consumption in their premises.

(3) Where more licenses than one are proposed to be granted under clause (d) of sub-section (1) in relation to any locality fo

S.24-AA Validation of certain actions

Notwithstanding any judgment, decree or order of any court to the contrary, anything done or purporting to have been done, and any action taken or purporting to have been taken unde any provision of this Act, before the date of publication of the Uttar Pradesh Excise (Amendment) Act, 2018 shall be valid and be deemed always to have been valid as if the provision of this Act as amended by the said Act were in force at all material times.

S.24-B Removal of doubts

For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared —

(a) that the State Government has an exclusive right or privilege of manufacture and sale of country liquor and foreign liquor ;
(b) that the amount described as license fee in clause (c) of section 41 is in its essence the rental or consideration for the grant of such right or privilege by the State Government ;
(c) that the Excise Commissioner as the head of the Excise Department of the State shall be deemed, while determining or realizing such fee, to act for and on behalf of the State Government.

S.25 Manufacture and sale of liquor in military cantonments

Within the limits of any military cantonment, and within such distance from those limits as the [Central Government] in any case may prescribe, no licenses for the manufacture or sale of liquor or for an exclusive privilege in respect of liquor under section 24 shall be granted unless with the consent of the Commanding Officer.

S.26 Grantee of exclusive privilege may let or assign

Subject to the conditions of his license the grantee of any exclusive privilege may let or assign the whole, or any portion of his privilege; but no lease or assignee of such privilege or portion of a privilege shall exercise any rights as such unless and until a license has been granted to him by the Excise Commissioner on application made by the grantee.

S.27 Recovery by grantee of exclusive privilege of sums due to him

Any grantee, lessee or assignee as aforesaid may recover from any person holding under him any money due to him in his capacity of grantee, lessee or assignee as if it were an arrear of rent recoverable under the law for the time being in force with regard to landholder and tenant :

Provided that nothing contained in this section shall affect the right of any such grantee, lessee or assignee to recover by civil suit any such amount due to him from any such person as aforesaid.

S.Chapter V DUTIES AND FEES

S.28 Duty on excisable articles

(1) [An excise duty or a countervailing duty, as the case may be] at such rate or rates as the [State Government] shall direct, may be imposed, either generally or for any specified local area, on any excisable article —

(a) imported in accordance with the provisions of section 12 (1); or
(b) exported in accordance with the provisions of section 13 ; or
(c) transported ; or
(d) manufactured, cultivated or collected under any license granted under section 17 ; or
(e) manufactured in any distillery established or any distillery or brewery licensed, under section 18 ;

Provided as follows —

imported into India and was liable on such importation to duty under the Indian Tariff Act, 1894, or the Sea Customs Act, 1887.

Explanation — Duty may be imposed under this section at different rates according to the places to which any excisable article is to be removed for consumption, or according to the varying strength

S.28-A Imposition of additional duty in certain cases

(1) Where the quantity of spirit or beer in stock in a brewery is found, in examination by such officer if the Excise Department as may be authorized by the Excise Commissioner in this behalf to exceed the quantity in hand as shown in the stock account, the brewery shall be liable to pay duty on such excess at the ordinary rates fixed under section 28.

S.29 Manner in which duty may be levied

Subject to such rules as the [Excise Commissioner] may prescribe to regulate the time, place and manner of payment, such duty may be levied in one or more of the following ways as the [State Government] may by notification direct :

(a) in the case of excisable articles imported under section 12 (1) — (i) by payment either in the province of import or in the province or territory of export ; or (ii) by payment upon issue for sale from a warehouse established or licensed under section 18 (d) ;
(b) in the case of excisable articles exported under section 13– by payment either in the province of export or in the province or territory of import ;
(c) in the case of excisable article transported — (i) by payment in the district from which the excisable article is to be transported ; or (ii) by payment upon issue for sale from a warehouse established or licensed under section 18 (d) ;
(d) in the case of intoxicating drugs manufactured under any lice

S.30 Payment for exclusive privileges

(1) Instead of or in addition to any duty leviable under the Chapter, the State Government or on its behalf the Excise Commissioner may accept payment of a sum in consideration of the grant of licence for any exclusive or other privilege under section 24 or section 24-A.

(2) The sum payable under sub-section (1) may either be fixed by auction or inviting tenders or otherwise or be assessed on the basis of the sales made or quota lifted under the license or partly fixed and partly assessed in the aforesaid manner.

(3) For the financial year commencing on April 1, 1983 apart from the sum fixed for grant of licence under section 24-A, the sum assessed, called as assessed fee, on the basis of sales under the license shall be payable, at the rate of rupees five per reputed quart bottle of all kinds of sprit, wine, liquor and Cordial and at the rate of paise sixty per reputed quart bottle of beer, stout and other fermented liquors by the wholesale vendors of foreign liquor.

S.30-A Saving for duties being levied at commencement of the Constitution

(1) Until provision to the contrary is made by the [Parliament] the [State Government] may continue to levy any duty to which this section applies which it was lawfully levying immediately before the commencement of [the Constitution] under this chapter as then in force.

(2) The duties to which this section applies are — (a) any duty on intoxicants [or medicinal or toilet preparations containing alcohol] which are not excisable articles within the meaning of this Act ; and (b) any duty on an excisable article produced outside India and imported into [Uttar Pradesh] whether across a customs frontier as defined by the Central Government customs frontier as defined by the Central Government or not.

(3) Nothing in this section shall authorize the levy by the [State Government] of any duty which, as between goods manufactured or produced in the [State], and similar goods not so manufactured or produced, discriminates in favour of the former, or which, in the case of goods

S.Chapter VI LICENSES, PERMITS AND PASSES

S.31 Form and conditions of licenses, etc.

Every license, permit or pass granted under this Act shall be granted —

(a) on payment of such fees (if any),
(b) subject to such restrictions and on such conditions,
(c) shall be in such form and contain such particulars, as the [Excise Commissioner] may direct either generally or in any particular instance in this behalf, and
(d) shall be granted for such period as the [State Government] may, in like manner, direct.

S.32 Saving of licenses force at the commencement of this Act

Every license which was granted under any section of the Excise Act, 1896, and is in force at the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to have been granted under the corresponding section of this Act, and shall (unless previously cancelled, suspended, withdrawn or surrendered under this chapter) remain in force for the period for which it was granted.

S.33 Power of authority granting license to require execution of counterpart agreement, etc.

Any authority granting a license under this Act may require the grantee to execute a counterpart agreement in conformity with the tenor of his license and to give such security for the performance of such agreement or to make such deposit in lieu of security as such authority may think fit.

S.34 Power to cancel or suspend licenses, etc.

(1) Subject to such restrictions as the [State Government] may prescribe, the authority granting any license, permit or pass under this Act may cancel or suspend it —

(a) if any duty or fee payable by the holder thereof be not duly paid ; or
(b) in the event of any breach by the holder of such license, permit or pass or by his servants, or by any one acting on his behalf with his express or implied permission of any of the terms or conditions of such license, permit or pass ; or
(c) if the holder thereof is convicted of any offence punishable under this Act or any other law for the time being in force relating to revenue, or of any cognizable and non-bailable offence, or of any offence punishable [under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1930, or] under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1889, or of any offence punishable under sections 482 to 489 (both inclusive) of the Indian Penal Code ; or
(d) where a license, permit or pass has been granted on the applica

S.35 Further power to cancel licenses

(1) Whenever the authority granting a license under this Act considers that such license should be cancelled for any cause other than those specified in section 34 it shall remit a sum equal to the amount of the fees payable in respect thereof for fifteen days, and may cancel the license either —

(a) on the expiration of fifteen days’ notice in writing of its intention to do so, or
(b) forthwith, without notice.

(2) If any license be cancelled under clause (b) of sub-section (1) in addition to the sum remitted as aforesaid there shall be paid to the licensee such further sum by way of compensation as the Excise Commissioner may direct.

(3) When a license is cancelled under this section, any fee paid in advance or deposit made by the licensee in respect thereof shall be refunded to him, less the amount (if any) due to the [State Government].

S.36 Surrender of license to sell by retail

Any holder of a license to sell by retail under this Act may surrender his license on the expiration of one month’s notice in writing given by him to the Collector of his intention to surrender the same and on payment of the fee payable for the license for the whole period for which it would have been current but for such surrender ;

Provided that, if the Excise Commissioner is satisfied that there is sufficient reason for surrendering such a license, he may remit to the holder thereof the sum so payable on surrender, or any portion thereof.

Explanation— The words “holder of a license” as used in this section, include a person whose tender or bid for a license has been accepted, although he may not actually have received the license.

S.36-A Bar to right of renewal and compensation

No person to whom a license has been granted under this Act shall have any claim to the renewal of such license or any claim for compensation on the determination or non-renewal thereof.

S.37 Technical irregularities in license, etc.

(1) No license granted under this Act shall be deemed to be invalid by reason merely of any technical defect, irregularity or omission in the license or in any proceeding taken prior to the grant thereof.

(2) The decision of the Excise Commissioner as to what is a technical defect, irregularity or omission shall be final.

S.Chapter VI-A SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING PROHIBITION

S.37-A Prohibition of import, export, transport, possession or consumption of intoxicants

(1) Subject to the provisions in sub-section (4), the import or export of any intoxicating into or from Uttar Pradesh or any part thereof or the transport of any intoxicant shall be prohibited.

(a) the character of an area as — (i) the seat of Government ; or (ii) a seat of

S.Chapter VII GENERAL PROVISIONS

S.38 Measures, weights and testing instruments

Every person who manufactures or sells any [intoxicant] under a license granted under this Act shall be bound —

(a) to supply himself with such measures, weights and instruments as the Excise Commissioner may prescribe and to keep the same in good condition ; and
(b) when such measures, weights and instruments have been prescribed, on the requisition of any excise officer duly empowered in that behalf, at any time to measure, weigh or test any [intoxicant] in his possession in such manner as the said excise officer may require.

S.38-A Interest on arrears of excise revenue

(1) Where any excise revenue has not been paid within three months from the date on which it become payable, interest at such rate not exceeding twenty-four per cent per annum, as may be prescribed, shall be payable from the date such excise revenue becomes payable till the date of actual payment ;

Provided that until a higher rate is prescribed, the rate of interest will be eighteen per cent per annum ;

Explanation :— Nothing in this sub-section shall be construed to affect the payment of interest under an agreement, the terms of an auction or, a decree of the court, passed before the date of commencement of the Uttar Pradesh Excise (Amendment) Act, 1985 or which may be

S.39 Recovery of excise revenue

All excise revenue including all amounts due to [the Government] by any person on account of any contract relating to the excise revenue, may be recovered from the person primarily liable to pay the same, or from his surety (if any), as arrears of land revenue or in the manner provided for the recovery of public demands by any law for the time being in force. In case of default made by a holder of a license the Collector may take the grant, for which the license has been given, under management at the risk of the defaulter, or may declare the grant forfeited and re-sell it at the risk and loss of the defaulter. When a grant is under management under this section, the Collector may recover as excise revenue any moneys due to the defaulter by any lessee or assignee ;

Provided that no license for an exclusive privilege granted under section 24 shall be forfeited or re-sold without the sanction of the authority granting the license.

S.40 Power of State Government to make rules

(1) The [State Government] may make rules for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act or other law for the time being in force relating to excise revenue.

Provided that the Uttar Pradesh Licensing under the Surcharge Fee System Rules, 1968 made by the Excise Commissioner, Uttar Pradesh, with the previous sanction of the State Government, as amended by the Excise Commissioner, Uttar Pradesh, from time to time, before the commencement of this Act, shall, until altered or repealed by the State Government by rules made under this section be deemed to be and always to have been as valid and effective as if the said rules were duly made by the State Government under this section.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, the [State Government] may make rules —

(a) regulating the delegation of any powers by [xxx] the Excise Commissioner or Collector under section 10 (2) (h) ;
(b) prescribing the

S.41 Power of Excise Commissioner to make rules

[The Excise Commissioner] subject to the previous sanction of the State Government may make rules ;

(a) regulating the manufacture, supply, storage or sale of any [intoxicant] including — (i) the erection, alteration, repair, inspection, supervision, management and control of any place for the manufacture, supply, storage or sale of such article and the fittings implements and apparatus to be maintained therein ; (ii) the cultivation of the hemp plant (cannabis sativa) ; (iii) the collection of portions of the hemp plant (cannabis sativa) from which any intoxicating drug can be manufactured and the manufacture of any intoxicating drug therefrom ;
(b) regulating the deposit of any [intoxicant] in a warehouse and the removal of any [intoxicant] from any such warehouse or from any distillery [brewery or manufactory].
(c) prescribing the scale of fees or the manner of fixing the fees payable for any licence, permit or pass, including any consideration for

S.Chapter VIII SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE MANUFACTURE, SUPPLY AND SALE OF Tari

S.42 Manufacture of tari

In local areas where the [State Government] so notifies —

(a) no tari-producing tree shall be tapped ;
(b) no tari shall be drawn from any tree ;

except under the authority and subject to the terms and conditions of a license granted in that behalf by the Collector or under the provisions of section 45 ;

Provided that in any such local area the [State Government] may by notification declare that these provisions hall not apply to trees tapped or tari drawn under such special conditions as the excise Commissioner may prescribe.

S.43 Sale of tari

In any such area as aforesaid a person having the right to the tari drawn from any tree may sell the same without a license to a person licensed to manufacture or sell tari under this Act.

S.44 Power of State Government to exempt from provisions of sections 42, area in which exclusive privilege for manufacture etc. for tari has been granted

Where a license for the exclusive privilege of manufacture, supply or sale of tari in any local area has been granted under the provisions of section 24 the [State Government] may by notification direct that the provisions of section 42 shall not apply to such area.

S.45 Grant of license by grantee of exclusive privilege of manufacturing tari

Where a license for the exclusive privilege of manufacturing tari has been granted under section 24, the [State Government] may declare that the written permission of the grantee to draw tari shall have the same force and effect as a license from the Collector for that purpose under section 42.

S.46 Duty on tari

A duty at such rate or rates as the [State Government] shall direct, may be imposed either generally or for any specified local area, on any tari manufactured under any license granted under section 42. [Such duty shall be levied by a tax on each tree tapped or form which tari is drawn, and its rate shall be fixed having due regard to the principles specified in sub-section (2) of section 28 and shall not exceed sixty rupees for a year or part thereof per tree.]

S.47 Power to make rules

In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions the [State Government] may make rules regulating the tapping of tari producing trees and drawing of tari from such trees, the marking of such trees and the maintenance of such marks in any area to which the provisions of section 42 have been applied.

S.Chapter IX POWER AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS, ETC.

S.48 Power to enter and inspect places of manufacture and sale

The Excise Commissioner, or a Collector, or any [Officer of the Excise Department] not below such rank as the [State Government] may prescribe, or any police officer duly empowered in that behalf, may enter and inspect, at any time by day or by night, any place in which any licensed manufacturer carries on the manufacture of or stores any [intoxicant] and may enter and inspect at any time within the hours during which sale is permitted, and at any other time during which the same may be open any place in which any [intoxicant] is kept for sale by any licensed person, and may examine, test, measure or weight any materials. Stills, utensils, implements, or [intoxicant] found in such place ; and may seize any measures, weights or testing instruments which he has reason to believe to be false.

S.49 Power of certain officers to investigate into offences punishable under this Act

(1) A police officer not below the rank of [Sub-Inspector] and an officer of the Excise Department not below such rank as the [State Government] [may prescribe may investigate] into any offence punishable under this Act committed within the limits of the area in which such officer exercises jurisdiction.

(2) [Any such officer may] exercise the same powers in respect to such investigation as an officer in charge of a police station may exercise in a cognizable cases under the provisions of [Chapter XII of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973] and if specially empowered in that behalf by the [State Government], such officer may, without reference to a Magistrate, and for reasons to be recorded by him in writing stop further proceedings against any person concerned or supposed to be concerned in any offence punishable under this Act into which he has investigated.

S.50 Power of arrest, seizure and detention

Any officer of the excise, police, salt, opium or land revenue department not below such rank and subject to such restrictions as the [State Government] may prescribe, and any other person duly empowered in this behalf, may arrest without warrant, any person, found [committing or abetting an offence] punishable under [section 60, section 60-A] section 62, section 63 or section 65 ; and may seize and detain any [intoxicant] or other article which he has reason to believe to be liable to confiscation under this Act or other law for the time being in force relating to excise revenue ; and may detain and search any person upon whom, and any vessel, vehicle, animal, package, receptacle or covering in or upon which he may have reasonable cause to suspect any such article to be.

S.51 Power of Collector to issue warrant of arrest

The Collector may issue a warrant for the arrest of any person whom he has reason to believe to have [committed or abetted any offence] punishable under [section 60, section 60-A] section 62, section 63 or section 65.

S.52 Power of Collector or magistrate to issue search warrant

If a Collector or a Magistrate, upon information obtained has reason to believe that an offence punishable under [section 60, section 60-A], section 62, section 63 or section 65 has been or is likely to be committed, he may issue a warrant for the search for any [intoxicant] materials, still, utensil, implement or apparatus in respect of which the alleged offence has been or is likely to be committed.

S.53 Power of Collector or officer of the Excise department to search without warrant

(1) Whenever a Collector or an officer of the Excise Department not below such rank as the [State Government] may prescribe or a police officer not below the rank of [Sub-Inspector] has reason to believe that an offence punishable under [section 60, section 60-A] section 61, section 62, section 63 or section 65 has been, is being or is likely to be committed in any place, and that a search warrant cannot be obtained without affording the offender an opportunity of escape or of concealing evidence of the offence, he may, at any time, in day or night, enter and search such place ;

Provided that [any officer] other than a Collector taking action under this sub-section shall before entering such place record the grounds of his belief as aforesaid.

(2) [The Collector or other officer] as aforesaid may seize anything found in such place which he has reason to believe to be liable to confiscation under this Act, and may detain and search and, if he thinks proper, arrest any

S.54 Procedure relating to arrest, searches, etc.

The provision of the [Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973], relating to arrests, search warrants, production of persons arrested and investigation into offences shall be held to be applicable, so far as may be, to all action take in these respects under this Act ;

Provided that an offence punishable under section 60, section 60A, section 61 section 62, section 63, section 64-A, section 65, section 68 or an offence punishable for abetment of any offence under the said sections may be investigated into without the order of a Magistrate, and that any warrant issued by the Collector under section 51 or section 52 may be executed by any officer authorized by the Collector for the said purpose.

S.55 Offence to be bailable

All offences punishable under sub-section (2) of section 60, section 60A, section 62, section 63, section 64-A, and any offence punishable for abetment of any offence under the said sections shall be non-bailable within the meaning of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

S.56 Duty of officers of certain departments to report offences and to assist officers of the excise Department

Every officer of the police, salt, opium and land revenue departments shall be bound to give immediate information to an [officer of the Excise Department] of all breaches of any of the provisions of this Act which may come to his knowledge, and to aid, any [officer of the Excise Department] in carrying out the provisions of this Act upon request made by such officer.

S.57 Duty of owner, occupier, Lekhpal or village policeman to report certain matters

Every person who owns or occupies any land or building and the agent of such owner or occupier, on or in which there has been any unlawful manufacture of any intoxicant, or any unlawful cultivation or collection of any plants from which an intoxicating drug can be produced, and every owner of a vessel or vehicle in which any intoxicant is manufactured contrary to the provisions of this Act, and every Lekhpal or village policeman in whose jurisdiction such land or building is situate or vessel or vehicle is found, shall, in the absence of reasonable excuse, be bound to give notice of the same to a Magistrate or to an officer of the excise, police or land revenue department immediately the same comes to his knowledge.

S.58 Duty of officer in charge of police station to take charge of articles seized

Every officer in charge of a police station shall take charge of and keep in safe custody, pending the orders of a Magistrate or of the Collector, all articles seized under this Act which may be delivered to him ; and shall allow any [officer of the Excise Department] who may accompany such articles to the police station or may be deputed for the purpose by his superior officer, to affix his seal to such articles and to take samples of and from them. All samples so taken shall also be scaled with the seal of the officer in charge of the police station.

S.59 Power to close shops for the sake of public peace

The District Magistrate by notice in writing to the licensee may require that any shop in which any [intoxicant] is sold shall be closed at such times or for such period as he may think necessary for the preservation of the public peace.

If a riot or unlawful assembly is apprehended or occurs in the vicinity of any such shop, a magistrate of any class or any police officer above the rank of constable who is present, may require such shop to be kept closed for such period as he may think necessary ;

Provided that where any such riot or unlawful assembly occurs the licensee shall, in the absence of such magistrate or police officer, close his shop without any order.

S.Chapter X OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

S.60 Penalty for unlawful import, export, transport manufacture, possession, sale, etc.

(1) Whoever, in Contravention of this Act or of any rule or order made thereunder, or of any license, permit or pass obtained thereunder :—

(a) exports any intoxicant ; or
(b) transports or possesses any intoxicant which is not covered under section 63 of this Act ; or
(c) collects or sells the leaves and stalks (not accompanied by flowering or fruiting tops) of natural and spontaneous growth of wild Indian Hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa) other than charas, ganja or any other intoxicating drug covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 ; or
(d) constructs or works any distillery, brewery, manufactory or vintnery ; or
(e) uses, keeps or has in his possession any material, still, utensil, implement or apparatus, whatsoever, for the purpose of manufacturing any intoxicant other than tari ; or
(f) removes any intoxicant from any distillery, brewery, manufactory, vintnery or warehouse licensed, establishe

S.60-A Penalty for mixing noxious substance with intoxicant and selling of noxious substance under the garb of intoxicant

Whoever, adulterates or causes to be adulterated any intoxicant by mixing any other substance or foreign ingredient to make such intoxicant noxious or sells, offers or makes or causes to be sold or offered or made available such noxious intoxicant or any other noxious substance for consumption in the garb of an intoxicant, likely to cause disability or hurt or grievous hurt or death or any other consequential injury to human beings, shall be punished ;

(a) if as a result of such an act, death is caused, with death or imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees but shall not be less than five lakh rupees ;
(b) if as a result of such an act, disability or grievous hurt is caused, with imprisonment for life or rigorous imprisonment which may extend to ten years but shall not be less than six years and with fine which may extend to ten years but shall not be less than six years and with fine which may extent to five l

S.60-B Security for abstaining from cocaine offences

[xxx]

S.61 Penalty for unlawful selling to persons under [twenty-one], or employing persons under [twenty-one] or women

If any licensed vender, or any person in his employ and acting on his behalf —

(a) in contravention of section 22 sells or delivers any liquor or intoxicating drug to any person apparently under the age of [twenty-one] years ; or
(b) in contravention of section 23 employs or permits to be employed on any part of his licensed premises referred to in that section, any person under the age of [twenty-one] years or any woman;

he shall be punished with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.

S.62 Penalty for rendering denatured spirit fit for human consumption

Whoever renders or attempts to render fit for human consumption any spirit, whether manufactured in India or not, which has been denatured, or has in his possession any denatured spirit which has been rendered fit for human consumption or in respect of which any attempt has been made to render it so fit shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months and which may extend to three years, and shall also be [liable to fine which shall not be less than five thousand rupees and which may extend to ten thousand rupees].

Explanation :— For the purposes of this section, it shall be presumed that any spirit which is proved to contain any quantity of any denaturant is, or contains or has been derived from denatured spirit.

S.63 Penalty for unlawful import o intoxicant and transport or possession of unlawfully imported intoxicant etc.

Whoever, in contravention of this Act, or of any rule or order made thereunder, imports any intoxicant or transports or has in his possession any quantity of any intoxicant unlawfully imported, shall be punished with imprisonment which shall not be less than six months and which may extend to five years and also with fine which shall not be less than ten times the amount of excise duty or consideration fee under section 30 which would have been leviable if such intoxicant had been dealt with in accordance with this Act and the rules and orders made thereunder or in accordance with any licence, permit or pass obtained thereunder or five thousand rupees whichever is greater.

S.64 Penalty for certain acts by licensee or his servant

Whoever, being the holder of a licence, permit or pass granted under this Act, or being in the employ of such holder and acting on his behalf —

(a) fails to produce such licence, permit or pass on the demand of any Excise Officer or of any other officer duly empowered to make such demand ; or
(b) willfully does or omits to do, anything in breach of any of the conditions of the licence, permit or pass not otherwise provided for in this Act; or
(c) save in a case provided for by section 60, willfully contravenes any rule made under sections 40 and 41 shall, for each such offence, be punished with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees and which may extend to five thousand rupees.

S.64-A Penalty for adulteration etc. by licenced vendor or manufacturer

(1) [xxx]

Provided that the punishment shall not be less than —

(i) imprisonment for three months and fine of [two thousand rupees] for the first offence, and
(ii) imprisonment for six months and fine of [three thousand rupees] for each of the second and subsequent offences.

S.65 Penalty for consumption in chemists shop

(1) If any chemist, druggist, apothecary or keeper of dispensary allows any intoxicant which has not been bona fide medicated for medicinal purposes to be consumed on his business premises by any person not employed in his business, he shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to [one year] or with fine which may extend to [five thousand rupees] or with both.

(2) If any person not employed as aforesaid consumes any such intoxicant on such premises, he shall be punished with fine which may extend to [one thousand rupees.]

S.66 Penalty for excise of refusing to do

Any excise officer who without lawful excuse shall cease or refuse to perform, or shall withdraw himself from the duties of his office, unless expressly allowed to do so in writing by the Excise Commissioner, or unless he shall have given to his superior officer two months’ notice in writing of his intention to do so, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to [one year] or with fine which may extend to [five thousand rupees] or with both.

S.67 Penalty for excise officer making vexatious search, etc.

If any excise officer —

(a) without reasonable grounds of suspicion enters, inspects or searches, or causes to be entered, inspected or searched, any place ; or
(b) vexatiously and unnecessarily seize any property of any person on the pretence of seizing or searching for any article liable to confiscation under this Act ; or
(c) vexatiously and unnecessarily details, searches or arrests any person ; he shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to [one year] or with fine which may extend to [five thousand rupees] or with both.

S.68 Penalty for offence not otherwise provided

Whoever is guilty of any act or intentional omission in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act, or of any rule or order made under this Act and not otherwise provided for in this Act, shall be punished for each such act or omission with fine which may extend to [five thousand rupees].

S.69 Enhanced punishment after previous conviction

If any person, after having been previously convicted of an offence punishable under section 60, section 62, section 63 or section 65 or under the provisions of those sections as they stood from time to time subsequently commits and is convicted of an offence punishable under any of these sections, he shall be liable to twice the punishment which may be imposed on a first conviction under this Act;

Provided that in the case of conviction for a second or subsequent offence under sub-section (1) of section 60, section 63, or section 65 a sentences of imprisonment for a term of not less than [one year], with fine, and in the case of conviction for a second or subsequent offence under sub-section (2) of section 60 or section 62 a sentence of imprisonment for a term of not less than [two year] with fine, shall be passed ;

Provided further that nothing in this section shall prevent any offence that might otherwise have been tried summarily under Chapter XXI of the Code of C

S.69-A Demand for security for abstaining from commission of certain offences

(1) Whenever any person is convicted of an offence punishable under the provisions of [section 60, section 60-A, section 62, section 63 or of section 65] the court convicting such person may, at the time of passing the sentence on such person order him to execute a bond for a sum proportionate to his means, with or without sureties, to abstain from the commission of any offence punishable under the said provisions during such period not exceeding three years as it may direct.

(2) The provisions of the Code of Criminal procedure, [1973] shall mutatis mutandis apply to all matters connected with such bonds if it were a bond to keep the peace ordered to be executed under section 106 of the said Code.

S.69-B Penalty for abetment

Whoever abets an offence punishable under this Act shall, whether such offence be or be not committed in consequence of such abetment and notwithstanding anything contained in section 116 of the Indian Penal Code, be punished on conviction for such abetment with the same punishment as is provided for the principal offence.

S.69-C Offence by companies

(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, every person who at the time the offence was committed was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of its business, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly ;

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance, of or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, and director, manager, secretary, managing agent, secretaries and treasures, or other officer of the company, such d

S.70 Cognizance of offence

(1) No Magistrate shall take cognizance —

(a) of an offence punishable under section 60, section 60-A, section 62, section 63, section 64-A, section 65 or section 69-B, except on his own knowledge or suspicion or on the complaint or report of an Excise Officer ; or
(b) of an offence punishable under section 64, section 66, section 67 or section 68 except on the complaint or report of the Collector or an Exercise Officer authorized by him by a general or special order in that behalf.

(2) Except with the special sanction of the State Government no Magistrate shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act other than an offence committed or abetted under sub-section (a) and (b) of section 60-A and section 67, unless the prosecution is instituted within a year after the date on which the offence is alleged to have been committed.

S.71 Presumption as to commission of offence in certain cases

In every prosecution under [section 60, section 60-A] it shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the accused person has committed an offence punishable under that section in respect of —

(a) any [intoxicant] ; or
(b) any still, utensil, implement or apparatus whatsoever for the manufacture of any [intoxicant] other than tari ; or
(c) any materials which have undergone any process towards the manufacture of an [intoxicant] or from which an [intoxicant] has been manufactured ; for the possession of which he is unable to account satisfactorily ;

and the holder of a license, permit or pass under this Act shall be liable to punishment, as well as the actual offender, for any offence punishable under [section 60, section 60-A, section 62], section 63 or section 64 committed by any person in his employ and acting on his behalf as if he had himself committed the same, unless he shall establish that all due and reasonable precaution

S.71-A Provisions regarding pardon, etc. to apply Offences under the Act

The provisions of sections 306 and 308 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 shall apply in relation to offences punishable under this Act as they apply in relation to offences mentioned in section 306 of the said Code.

S.72 What things are liable to confiscation

(1) Whenever an offence punishable under this Act has been committed —

(a) every [intoxicant] in respect of which such offence has been committed ;
(b) every still, utensil, implement or apparatus and all materials by means of which such offence has been committed ;
(c) every [intoxicant] lawfully imported, transported, manufactured, held in possession or sold along with or in addition to any [intoxicant] liable to confiscation under clause (a) ;
(d) every receptacle, package and covering in which any [intoxicant] as aforesaid or any materials, still, utensil, implement or apparatus is or are found, together with the other contents (if any) of such receptacle or package ; and
(e) every animal, cart, vessel or other conveyance used in carrying such receptacle or package ;

shall be liable to confiscation.

(2) Where anything or animal is seized under any provision of this Act, the officer seizing and detaining such

S.73 Further provisions for confiscation

When anything mentioned in clauses (a) and (b) of section 72, sub-section (1) is found in circumstances which afford reason for believing that an offence punishable under this Act has been committed in respect or by means thereof, or when such an offence has been committed and the offender is not known or cannot be found, the Collector may order confiscation of such thing and of any other thing or animal found or used therewith which is liable to confiscation as provided by section 72, sub-section (1) :

Provided that no such order shall be made until the expiration of one month from the date of seizing the thing or animal in question or without hearing the person (if any) claiming any right thereto, and the evidence (if any) which he produces in support of his claim :

Provided further that if the thing in question is liable to speedy and natural decay, or if the Collector is of opinion that the sale of the thing or animal in question would be for the benefit of its ow

S.73-A Order for destroying confiscated intoxicant

Where any intoxicant is confiscated under section 72 or section 73, the Collector, may, subject to any order passed in that behalf by any court if in his opinion the confiscated intoxicant is not fit for human consumption or if the confiscated intoxicant cannot be stored or preserved, order the intoxicant to be destroyed notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act :

Provided further that any order for destruction of the intoxicant under this section shall not be passed without providing opportunity of hearing after notice of seven days to the person from whose custody the intoxicant is recovered :

Provided also that adequate sample of the intoxicant

S.74 Compounding of offences

(1) Any Excise Officer specially empowered by the State Government in that behalf may accept from any person whose license, permit or pass is liable to be cancelled or suspended under section 34 or who is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence punishable under section 64 or section 68, a sum of money not exceeding [fifty thousand rupees] in lieu of such cancellation or suspension or by way of composition for the offence which may have been committed, as the case may be, and in all cases in which any property has been seized as liable to confiscation under this Act, may release the same on payment of the value thereof (as estimated by such officer).

(1-A) Any officer specially empowered by the State Government in that behalf may subject to any general or special order of the State Government compound, whether before or after the institution of the prosecution, any offence punishable [under clause (a) and (b)] of sub-section (1) of section 60 or section 63, where

S.74-A Imposition of penalty

(1) If a holder of a license, permit or pass granted under this Act or an employee of such holder contravenes any of the conditions of the license, permit or pass or any rule made under this Act, Excise Officer authorized by the State Government in this behalf may impose a penalty not exceeding [one lakh rupees].

(2) No order imposing a penalty shall be made under sub-section (1) unless the holder of the license, permit or pass or the employee concerned is given —

(a) a notice in writing informing him of the grounds on which it is proposed to proceed under this section ;
(b) a reasonable opportunity of making a representation in writing, within such time as may be specified in the notice, against such ground ; and
(c) a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter.

(3) No person on whom a penalty is imposed under sub-section (1) shall be liable to prosecution in respect of any offence under this Act on the same facts.

S.Chapter XI MISCELLANEOUS

S.75 Exception of medicated articles

Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this Act applies to the import, manufacture, possession, sale or supply of any bona fide medicated article for medicinal purposes by medical practitioners, chemists, druggists, apothecaries or keepers of dispensaries, except in so far as the [State Government] may by notification so direct.

S.76 Power of State Government to exempt persons and intoxicants from the provisions of this Act

The [State Government] may, by notification and subject to such conditions as it may think fit to prescribe, [exempt] any person or class of persons, or any [intoxicant], wholly or partly, from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act or of all or any of the rules made under this Act, either throughout [Uttar Pradesh] or in any specified area comprised therein or for any specified period, or occasion.

S.77 Publication of rules and notifications

All rules made and notifications issued under the Act shall be published in the [Official Gazette], and shall, have effect as if enacted in this Act from the date of such publication or from such other date as may be specified in that behalf.

Provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this section or in any judgment, decree or order, the notification nos. 3514-E/XIII—331-78 and 1227-E/XIII—332-78, both dated April 17, 1978, made by the State Government in exercise of the powers under sections 28 and 29 and the amendments made by the aforesaid notifications shall have effect and be deemed always to have effect on and from April 1, 1978.

Provided further that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this section or in any contract, judgment, decree or order, the notification no. 3842-E/XIII—512-83, dated May 25, 1983, made by the State Government in exercise of the powers under section 30 shall have effect and be deemed always to ha

S.78 Bar of certain suits

(1) No suit shall lie in any civil Court against the [Government] or any officer or person for damages for any act in good faith done, or ordered to be done, in pursuance of this Act or of any other law for the time being in force relating to the excise revenue.

(2) No civil Court shall try any suit which may lawfully be brought against the [Government] in respect of anything done, or alleged to have been done, in pursuance of this Act, unless the suit is instituted within six months after the date of the act complained of.

S.79 Power of Excise Commissioner, exercisable from time to time

Any power conferred by this Act on the [Excise Commissioner] may be exercised from time to time as occasion requires.