MUMBAI: The Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government plans to amend the Bombay Prohibition Act to allow a permit holder to keep 12 bottles of alcohol at home against the existing limit of two. The daily permit required to be served in permit rooms and bars will also be done away with.

Excise minister Eknath Khadse confirmed to TOI that he has accepted the two proposals from the excise department. "We have received the proposals from the excise department. An appropriate notification will be promulgated within a week," said Khadse.

He said after the worst-ever Malwani hooch tragedy, which claimed 105 innocent lives, the excise department came up with several measures to halt illegal and illicit liquor trading.

"So far, we have allowed storage of only two bottles at home. We found that due to this stringent restriction, people were illegally storing liquor at home. Now, we are in the process of enhancing the limit from two to 12 bottles. In addition, against the permitted capacity of 750ml, we have enhanced it to 1,000ml, since most imported liquor is sold in 1,000ml bottles," said Khadse.

Khadse said that despite stringent supervision, people were seen illegally consuming liquor without the requisite permit in bars. "We felt that the requirement of a permit in permit room, which in any case has official permission, is uncalled for. We are in the process of doing away with the condition," he said.

Khadse added that he asked excise sleuths to draft new holograms to ensure authenticity of products. "We have proposed a hologram technology to end sale of duplicate liquor. A section of leading firms has approached the excise department to finalize the hologram system. We plan to invite tenders for the purpose. We propose to develop a mobile app so that an ordinary consumer, too, will be able to identify whether a product is genuine or duplicate," said Khadse.

On the sudden spurt in illicit liquor trade, Khadse said he has given specific instructions to excise sleuths. "Even a minor case of illegal and illicit liquor trading will be taken seriously. I have asked the excise commissioner to deal with erring officials with an iron hand. In such cases, strong provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Bombay Prohibition Act will be applied. We are working jointly working with the local police for the purpose."

Khadse said between April and July 2015, the excise department has seized goods worth Rs 20 crore, registered 13,304 offences and arrested 5,807 people in cases of illegal liquor trade. "All these cases have been filed before the competent courts," said Khadse.

Khadse admitted that the Bombay Prohibition Act needs amendment considering the changing scenario. "It's a double-edged sword. Whether we relax the legislation or otherwise, we are always at the receiving end."

