Yet another round of a long-drawn ‘morality versus legality’ bout is expected to be played out very soon, thanks to the state government and dance bar owners, who have won a mandate from the Supreme Court for carrying on with their business. However, the mandate comes with a rider that they must not flout laws. Stung by the unexpected verdict, the government has decided to explore all options, including a plan that will create a situation in which running dance bars will be a hard proposition. The Mantralaya mandarins are working overtime to deflate the euphoria in the dance bar lobby.

According to home department officials, the licensing process, which was frozen a couple of years ago, will be made even more stringent. New rules for timings will be put in place and bar license fees will be increased manifold. Bars will have to have separate enclosures for dance performances and serving alcohol. These are primary thoughts, and they will be fine-tuned with approval from the political bosses, who are also mulling a legislative intervention to extend the ban.