Maharashtra firm on banning dance bars

The Maharashtra government is firm that dance bars will be banned despite a Supreme Court ruling and legal advice would be sought on the issue within a couple of days, Home Minister R.R. Patil said here Monday.

Speaking on the issue in the state assembly, Patil hinted that the government may consider cancelling or withdrawing dance performance licenses granted to three stars and above category hotels to remove disparities.

"We shall take a decision on this issue within two days, on the apex court verdict which upheld the Bombay High Court decision to quash the ban on dance bars," Patil said, replying to a question by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena legislator Bala Nandgaonkar and Peasants and Workers' Party (PWP) legislator Ganpatrao Deshmukh.

He added that the government has set up a committee of experts to decide the future course of action on the controversial issue.

Patil pointed out that the Supreme Court had objected to the discrimination on dance licences, permitting three-star hotels and above to have such bars, but banning it in other places.

In order to remove the discrimination, the government will consult the state advocate-general and senior counsel, Patil said.