"Our strategy includes auctioning of country liquor shops, improve infrastructure for the excise department staff, hike in licence fee and increase the fine amount for the settlement of cases in which the licence holder has violated the stipulated rules," Mehta said. He said that the government earns Rs 450 crore through country liquor shops. However, the department believes that with the introduction of the auctioning system, an additional Rs 350 crore will be mopped up.

He said that the proposal for auctioning of country liquor shops has been pending before the state cabinet andapproval is awaited soon. "Auctioning of such shops already exists in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Harayana and Punjab. Under this scheme, the government wants a bidder to take about 100 shops during auctioning," he added.

Simultaneously, Mehta said that the department will take action against illicit dens run in various parts of Maharashtra. He admitted that the deaths of villagers after consuming khopdi in Raigad district early this year was unfortunate and added that the government has decided to curb use of Methanol. "Methanol will be covered under Poison Rules, 1972," he added.

Mehta said that the introduction of excise duty based on MRP on Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) in 1997 has paid off as excise collection was up by Rs 300 crore in 1997-98. However, the government was worried about the illegal production and sale of foreign liquor and plans to introduce serial system and hologram on the labels. "This will also lead to increase in the revenue," he added.

Mehta said thatlicence fee would be increased by at least 10 per cent and added that his department planned to strengthen infrastructure support for its employees. "Massive computerisation will be undertaken along with provision of modern arms, vehicles and wireless sets at the divisional and commissionerate levels. The backup support will result in increasing excise collection by at least Rs 350 crore," he observed.

According to Mehta, the fine amount for settling cases of violation of existing provisions of Mumbai Prohibition Act would be hiked. At the district collector level, the amount to be paid by the licence holder will be increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh and at the level of divisional commissioner, it will be raised from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000.

Mehta said that it was surprising that no shops have been sanctioned in the state for country or foreign liquor since 1973 and his department would address this issue. Currently, there are 4,520 country liquor shops and 1,881 foreign liquor shops.

"The departmentplans to prohibit sanctioning of licences to new permit rooms and beer bars in the municipal corporation areas. The decision is expected soon," he added.