Maharashtra assembly passes bill prescribing stricter penalties for ''obscene dance bars''

The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed a Bill that brings orchestra and live music performance licences under the scope of the states law banning obscene dance performances in hotels restaurants and bars reported the PTIThe legislation seeks to prevent the misuse of orchestra licences issued under Section 33 of the Maharashtra Police Act 1951 which the government said have been used in some cases to organise illegal and obscene dance performancesThe Bill was passed by a voice vote in the AssemblyGovt says stronger law is neededReplying to the debate Minister Pankaj Bhoyar said the state had first attempted to strengthen the law in 2005 but legal proceedings prevented those changes from being implemented as per the PTIHe said the Maharashtra Hotel Restaurant and Bar Rooms Prohibition of Obscene Dance and Protection of Dignity of Women Working Therein Act 2016 was introduced to protect the dignity of women employed in such establishmentsHowever the government later found that some businesses were using orchestra licences to hold performances that violated the spirit of the lawHarsher penalties proposedAccording to the PTI the amended law introduces tougher punishments for those found violating the rules Anyone who organises or permits obscene dance performances could faceUp to five years imprisonmentA fine of up to Rs 25 lakhOr bothThose operating an orchestra without the required licence or breaking licence conditions could faceUp to three years imprisonmentA fine of up to Rs 10 lakhOr bothThe government said the stricter penalties are intended to improve enforcement and discourage repeat offencesLive music performances brought under the lawThe amendment also provides a legal definition of a live music performanceIt states that live music includes solo or group singing with or without instrumental or recorded music performed in hotels restaurants or bar roomsThese performances will now come under the provisions of the 2016 ActMLAs seek greater accountabilityDuring the debate several MLAs said local police officers should also be held responsible if illegal dance bars continue to operate in areas under their jurisdictionSome members claimed that such establishments could not function without official support and called for greater accountabilitySuggestions for stronger enforcementLegislators proposed several additional measures to improve implementation of the law includingMandatory CCTV recording of performancesGeotagging of complaintsRegular police inspections and monitoringMembers said these steps would help ensure better enforcement and increase transparencyCalls for support for women workersSome MLAs argued that stricter legal action alone would not solve the problemThey urged the government to create alternative employment opportunities for women working in such establishments to reduce the risk of exploitationSeveral legislators also requested a clearer legal definition of the term obscene dance to ensure consistent enforcement and avoid misuse of the law the news agency reportedwith PTI inputs