Dance bars are run with the license of orchestra, those who do so are not in trouble in Maharashtra; New law is coming

Government’s new strictness is going to be implemented on dance bars in Maharashtra. The BJP government of the state has introduced a new bill in the Assembly, so that people running dance bars cannot take advantage of the law. Now many bars and hotels run dance bars by taking the license of orchestra or live music. They easily get this license under the Maharashtra Police Act, but later they are also made to dance against the rules.

Now the government wants to change this system. According to the new bill, orchestra or live music in hotels, bars and restaurants will no longer be allowed under the Police Act, but under the Dance Bar Act of 2016. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had also said that some people are taking advantage of this legal loophole and running dance bars and the government will close this avenue.

What will change?

If this bill becomes law, then dance bars will not be able to be run just by taking the license of an orchestra. All such bars and hotels will have to follow the strict rules of the Dance Bar Act 2016 and the provisions related to the safety of women. The government says that the purpose of this step is to prevent misuse of the law and to keep strict control over dance bars.

What does the law say?

Section 33 of the Maharashtra Police Act currently empowers police officers to grant licenses for music, dance and other programs for the entertainment of people. Under the ‘Public Entertainment Rules’ made under this Act, licenses are also issued for orchestras and live music performances in hotels, restaurants and bar rooms.

According to the government, some venues were using live music performance licenses instead of the licenses required under the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working There) Act, 2016, to avoid restrictions on dance performances in hotels, restaurants and bar rooms. To address this shortcoming, the Bill proposes to bring live musical performances (orchestras) within the ambit of the 2016 Act and keep licensing of such events out of the ambit of the Maharashtra Police Act.