The Future of Industrial Alcohol Regulation: Lessons from India’s Supreme Court
Keywords:
state list, entry 8, industrial alcohol, regulatory power, intoxicating liquor, revenueAbstract
States in India have the constitutional authority to regulate industrial alcohol, as recently affirmed by a supreme court ruling. The court held that the term intoxicating liquor in entry 8 of the state list includes industrial alcohol, empowering states to legislate on its production, manufacture, possession, transport, purchase, and sale. This ruling resolved a longstanding conflict between states and the union government, which had claimed exclusive regulatory power over industrial alcohol under the industries development and regulation act and entry 52 of the union list. By clarifying this jurisdiction, the decision allows states to impose taxes and enforce regulations critical to public health and revenue generation.
References
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