The decision was taken by the state cabinet, which approved a draft Bill to amend Section 80A of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914. Under the proposed amendment, offences related to possession, sale and purchase of upto four liquor bottles of 750 ml each or upto 12 bottles of beer of 650 ml each would be compounded on payment of Rs 100 per bottle of liquor or Rs 50 per bottle of beer.

In cases related to possession, sale and purchase of more than four bottles of liquor but not exceeding eight bottles of 750 ml each or more than 12 bottles of beer but not exceeding 24 bottles of 650 ml each, the offenders would have to pay Rs 150 per bottle of liquor or Rs 75 per bottle of beer.

For offences involving possession, sale and purchase of more than 8 liquor bottles but not exceeding 12 bottles or more than 24 bottles of beer but not exceeding 36, the fee would be Rs 200 per bottle of liquor or Rs 100 per bottle of beer. Offences related to consumption of liquor would be compounded on payment of Rs 100 per accused for every offence.

The Cabinet also amended Section 12 of the Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development Act, 1963 to curb unauthorised construction along the scheduled roads and controlled areas. Under the new norms, the Director, Town and Country Planning has been empowered to summon any person who has committed a breach of the provisions of the Act to show cause that why he should not ordered to restore to its original state or bring it in confirmity with the provisions of the Act or the rules as the case may be.