New Maharashtra Bill sets tough conditions for dance bars

MUMBAI: With an intent to ensure that dance bars remain shut, the Maharashtra government on Monday introduced the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (working therein) Act, 2016, in the Legislative Council and had it cleared by a unanimous vote. The bill would pour cold water on the dance bar owners who won a reprieve from the Supreme Court which quashed the Maharashtra government’s decade-old move to ban dance bars.

The bill says that the owner or proprietor or manager of a bar will not allow any obscene dance or exploit any working woman for any immoral purpose in any place. Those found involved in such acts would be punished after conviction with a prison term of three years or a fine which may extend to Rs 10 lakh. If the offender is caught again, then they would be levied a fine of Rs 25,000 every day. The offences have been made cognizable and non-bailable. The customers, who shower money at the girls dancing in the bars, could be punished with a term of six months or a fine of Rs 50,000 or both.

Here again the offence would be made non-bailable. Bar owners, who violate sections of the Act, would be punished with imprisonment of five years or pay a fine of Rs 25 lakh or would have to pay both. There will also be a grievance Redressal committee to ensure healthy working conditions for the women.