Under severe criticism from the Opposition and other quarters over the Supreme Court relaxing some of its stringent legal provisions restricting licencing and functioning of dance bars in the State, the Maharashtra Government on Friday announced that if necessary, it would promulgate an Ordinance to enforce rules and stop reopening of dance bars in the State.
A day after the apex court permitted dance bars to operate from 6 pm to 11.30 pm and allowed the sale of liquor in these joints, Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that the State Government was contemplating bringing an ordinance to prevent reopening dancing joints in Mumbai and other parts of the State.
"While we respect the decision of the Supreme Court, we are of the firm view that the dance bars cannot be allowed to function. In the larger interests of the people and to protect the cultural fabric of the state, the Maharashtra Government is considering bringing an ordinance to stop dance bars from operating in Mumbai and other parts of the State," Mungantiwar said.
“After going through the Supreme Court’s order and seeking legal opinion, we intend to bring an ordinance in the next two weeks to make necessary changes and strengthen the existing law to enforce restrictions on the dance bars in Mumbai and other parts of the State,” Mungantiwar said.
The Maharashtra Cabinet is likely to discuss the issue at its weekly meeting to be held next week.