Dance bars: Govt may not issue a fresh ordinance

IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS, SINCE THE SUPREME COURT ORDER, THE STATE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY APPLICATIONS SEEKING PERMISSION TO OPERATE DANCE BARS

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government may not issue a fresh ordinance to amend the law that regulates dance bars in the state. The home department has, instead, begun the process of tweaking certain rules, as that will not require an amendment in the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act, 2016, said a senior government official, who did not wish to be named.

The Supreme Court (SC) had last month paved the way for reopening of dance bars, relaxing certain stringent conditions imposed by the government on their licencing and functioning. Offering relief to dance bar owners and employees, the Apex Court had ruled that there could be “regulations”, but not “total prohibition”.

The state, which is not in favour of dance bars, was mulling issuing a fresh ordinance to ensure they remain shut. The state had asked its home and law and judiciary departments to study the court judgment and recommend necessary steps. Both the departments, in a meeting last week, reached a conclusion that there was no need for an amendment as the entire Act had not been struck down by the court.