Mumbai: To curb the operation of illegal dance bars under the guise of orchestra bar permits, the Maharashtra govt issued a GR stating that, henceforth, no new Live Music Performance (Orchestra) licences will be granted under the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, and existing licences will not be renewed.Instead, such licences will be regulated under the Maharashtra Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms (Prohibition on Obscene Dance and Protection of Dignity of Women Working Therein) Act, 2016.Earlier, the State Legislature passed the necessary amendment in the 2016 act to bring orchestra licences under its ambit, to put control over dance bars.A govt resolution (GR) stated that the Maharashtra Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms (Prohibition on Obscene Dance and Protection of Dignity of Women Working Therein) Act, 2016 was in force in the State.The GR said that since the Act came into effect, there was a significant decline in the number of dance bar licences in Maharashtra due to the restrictions imposed on dance performances.It has come to the notice of the govt that Live Music Performance (Orchestra) licences were used as an alternative to circumvent the restrictions imposed by the 2016 Act. An amendment was introduced to control the dance activities inside the dance bars.The Bill was passed by the State Legislature earlier this year and, after receiving the assent of the Governor, it was published in the gazette on July 22.At present, licences for “Live Music Performance (Orchestra)” are granted under the provisions of the Public Entertainment Rules framed under Section 33 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951.To curb this practice, the GR stated that establishments conducting Live Music Performances (Orchestras) were also brought within the ambit of the Maharashtra Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms (Prohibition on Obscene Dance and Protection of Dignity of Women Working Therein) Act, 2016.
