In a bid to tighten the noose around habitual traffic offenders, the government today approved five-fold increase in fines under the Motor Vehicle Act, and substantial hike in compensation to accident victims.

Under one of the proposed amendments, the government has cleared four-fold increase in compensation to Rs 1 Lakh in fatal accidents, and Rs 50,000 for grievous hurts in hit and run cases.

These changes will be incorporated in the Motor Vehicle Act through an amendment, which is likely to be introduced in forthcoming Parliament session.

"The Union Cabinet has approved the amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act for harsher punishments for offences like drunken driving and violation of traffic rules and also increased compensation in accident cases," an official said.

He said the amendments are proposed mainly to deal with offenders who violate traffic rules repeatedly. In case of drunken driving, the fine will range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 and imprisonment from six months to four years.

Giving details of the proposed fine on drunken driving, the official said in cases where alcohol level is 30 mg per 100 ml of blood, it would not amount to an offence.

However, if it is between 30-60 mg per 100 ml of blood, the proposed penalty would be six months of imprisonment and/or Rs 2,000 fine.

In case the alcohol level is 60-150 mg per 100 ml of blood, the penalty would be one year imprisonment and/or Rs 4,000. If the offence is repeated within three years, the penalty would go up to three years imprisonment and/or Rs 8,000.

For those who are found heavily drunk with alcohol levels of over 150 mg per 100 ml of blood, the penalty will be two years imprisonment and or Rs 5,000. Repeat offence within three year will attract a penalty of four years and fine of Rs 10,000 besides cancellation of licence.