Mumbai: Dance bars banned in Maharashtra, bill passed in assembly

Mumbai, June 12: Taking the bold step,

assembly finally passed the bill which banned dance bars in state. During its monsoon assembly session on Thursday, June 12, Maharashtra cabinet approved new law to ban dance bars in Mumbai and other parts of state.

Earlier state home minister RR Patil had said that state government would introduce a fresh bill in the state legislature to ban dance bars. Maharashtra government's latest move banning dance bars in the state challenging a Supreme Court order lifting the ban.

Patil earlier had clarified that the revised bill had been drafted based on advice from the law & judiciary department, and considered the SC order. The state government seems to have been trying to pass all its long pending bill ahead of the assembly election which is due in October.

The SC had sought the state's reply over a contempt petition filed by over 90 dance bar owners over the failure of the state home department to renew their licences despite its order a year ago.

Nearly 200 of the 400 establishments that were banned are seeking renewal of licences, but sources said only three five-star hotels have showed interest in renewing their licences.

OneIndia News