Maharashtra Council directs panel to study draft law to ban dance bars

Mumbai: Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar on Friday directed that a joint committee of members of both Houses of Legislature, as proposed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, study the draft legislation to ban dance bars.

Nimbalkar's direction came in the Upper House after Fadnavis called for a strong law against dance bars that would stand the scrutiny in courts.

During the calling attention motion, Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde raised the issue of dance bars and said that former state Home Minister R R Patil had managed to prevent dance bars from conducting business for 10 years.

"Now, what happened in one year that the Supreme Court suddenly ordered that dance bars could start business once again? While we honour the SC's judgement, it is our right to frame a law banning their (dance bars') operations," he said.

"Will the government bring out a legislation before the 15th of this month?" Munde sought to know.

Responding, Fadnavis said after courts had struck down the (earlier) state government's law banning dance bars, the Advocate General was consulted, who drafted a new law which was rejected by the (then) state government.

Instead, the (earlier) government drafted a new law which was once again sent to the AG, who termed it amateurish and one that looks like government doing moral policing.

This law was once again challenged by dance bar association in courts, he pointed out.

Fadnavis said that while a regulatory Act is required for liquor prohibition, a strong law, that would stand the scrutiny of courts, is required to ban dance bars.

"We had put 22 conditions before the Supreme Court. Out of these the SC had struck down seven, but after we contested strongly, the SC agreed on six of our conditions," he said.

Fadnavis said his government's intention is that the dance bars should not re-start.

"We have readied a draft law that has included suggestions from all stakeholders. I request that a committee of members of both Houses should be formed which would study the draft law in the next 3-5 days," he said.

"We cannot go by emotions...please do not doubt our intentions. Bringing in a strong law will be a true tribute to R R Patil," he said.

Following the Chief Minister's statement, Nimbalkar said the committee can study the draft legislation in the coming week and a law can be passed the week after.