New Delhi - Municipal authorities in the Indian capital plan to amend a law to allow the city's residents to keep cattle at home as long as they obtain a licence, news reports said Thursday.

Under the new policy a resident will be allowed to keep one "milking" animal at home after getting a licence but would face strict penalties if the animal was allowed to stray, the Hindustan Times newspaper reported.

The cattle-owner would be let off thrice with penalties ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 rupees (99 to 297 dollars) if their cattle was found on the streets.

If their cattle strayed a fourth time, the owner would be put behind bars, the report said. Details of the jail term are yet to be decided.

Straying cattle have long been a menace for traffic and pedestrians in the Indian capital.

In India, the cow is considered holy and is worshipped by Hindus. (dpa)