Maha grants licences to three dance bars, but imposes strict conditions

The Maharashtra government's reluctance with respect to the revival of dance bars was evident on Thursday when the state issued licences to three bars, but included certain conditions which the owners are expected to fulfil, reports The Hindu.The move comes after the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Maharashtra government to grant licences to eight dance bars within two days, once they had given an undertaking that they would not engage employees with criminal antecedents near the dance area. Of the eight, only six filed the affidavit, The Times Of India reports. Only three bars managed to submit demand drafts of Rs 2 lakh as police fee with the application. Initially, the required amount was Rs 1.8 lakh and the bar owners came to know about the revised amount at the last minute, according to The Indian Express. The three successful applicants are Indiana (Tardeo), Aero Punjab (Andheri) and Sai Prasad (Andheri).[caption id="attachment_1555109" align="alignleft" width="380"] Representational Image. AFP[/caption]However, the licences come with certain conditions, Mid Day reports.  The licences were issued under the new state law which dictates that performances should end by 11:30 pm and alcohol should not be served in the area where the dancers perform.  Owners of bars which violate the rules can end up in jail.According to another The Times Of India report, the dance bar owners are also against the government's demand to install CCTV cameras in bars and performance areas to keep a check on 'obscenity'.Bharat Thakur, who heads the Bar Committee of Association of Hotels and Restaurants (AHAR) lamented about the strict conditions.“If we shut down bars at 11:30 pm and do not serve liquor in the area where the bar dancers perform, then who will be interested in coming to dance bars?" The Indian Express quoted him as saying.