The Maharashtra government has introduced a new bill in the Assembly on Tuesday, 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. 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.
CM Fadnavis had announced amendment in the rules
CM Fadnavis had last week said that the state government will amend the Mumbai Police Act during the current monsoon session to remove loopholes that are being used by dance bar operators to evade the strict rules. He had told the state assembly that this amendment would ensure that bars and hotels organizing such performances would be able to get licenses only under the provisions related to dance bars, where strict conditions are already in place. He made this announcement after members expressed concern over regulation, noise pollution and frequent violations of rules.
Licenses of those who repeatedly violate rules will be canceled
On complaints of loud DJs and noise pollution, Fadnavis had said that permissions are given under the existing noise pollution rules and action is taken against those who violate them. He had also said that the government is examining the proposal to amend the law in consultation with the Law and Justice Department, so that the licenses of bars and hotels that repeatedly violate the rules can be permanently cancelled.
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