Maharashtra Tightens Rules On Orchestra Bars, Brings Them Under Dance Bar Law
Minister of State for Home (Rural) Pankaj Bhoyar introduced the Bill in the Assembly. After a heated discussion, it was passed by the House: Reports
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on Tuesday passed a Bill in the Assembly to regulate orchestra bars under the same legal framework governing dance bars, seeking to close what it describes as a loophole that allowed establishments to stage dance performances under orchestra licences.
The Bill amends the Maharashtra Police Act and the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working Therein) Act, 2016. It provides that licences for live music performances and orchestras in hotels, restaurants and bars will no longer be issued under the Maharashtra Police Act but will instead be regulated exclusively under the 2016 law.
Minister of State for Home (Rural) Pankaj Bhoyar introduced the Bill in the Assembly. After a heated discussion, it was passed by the House.
Replying to the debate, Mr. Bhoyar said the amendment would curb the misuse of orchestra licences by establishments staging dance performances in violation of the law. Any establishment found violating the provisions governing orchestra permissions under the 2016 Act by holding obscene dance performances would face strict action, he said.
"The amendment will certainly have an impact. If required, further amendments will also be made after incorporating the suggestions of the members of the House," Mr. Bhoyar said.
Participating in the discussion, BJP MLA Sumit Wankhede alleged that dance bars continued to operate because of loopholes in the existing system. He said CCTV recording of performances at bars should be made mandatory, with the footage preserved by the police and the government as evidence.
A senior Home Department official said the stringent provisions of the 2016 Act governing dance performances had prompted bar owners to obtain orchestra licences and use them to conduct dance performances, particularly in Navi Mumbai, Thane, Bhiwandi, Panvel, Mumbai and other cities.
"To curb this practice, the Government considers it necessary to bring live music performances (orchestra) within the purview of the Prohibition of Obscene Dance Act and to exclude the licences of live music performances (orchestra) in hotels, restaurants or bar rooms from the purview of the Police Act," the Bill states.
The amendment comes a week after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the Assembly that the government had identified an “escape route” being used by some establishments despite the enactment of the Dance Bar Act.