Government Of Maharashtra And Ors vs M/S. Deokar'S Distillery

The Supreme Court examined the legality of the State of Maharashtra charging liquor licensees for supervision costs under Section 58A of the Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949. The Court held that the State is empowered to levy such charges, which must be paid in advance by the licensees as per the relevant rules. Furthermore, the Court affirmed that the Commissioner can recover supervision charges retrospectively based on revised pay scales established under Article 309 of the Constitution, thereby upholding the demands for arrears of supervision charges.