Bill to transfer authority over potable alcohol in Lok Sabha

New Delhi, Dec 7 

A bill that seeks to transfer the authority to regulate "potable alcohol" to the states was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

The Industries (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015, introduced by Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seeks to amend the first schedule of Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951.

The bill provides that existing heading "26 Fermentation Industries" in the first schedule of the existing act will be substituted with the heading "26 Fermentation Industries (other than potable alcohol)".

Officials said that the amendment will help end a long-standing confusion about jurisdiction of central and state government on potable alcohol and industrial alcohol, and ensure that industries engaged in manufacturing alcohol meant for potable purposes shall be under the total and exclusive control of states in all respects.