The Supreme Court on Thursday amended the rules set by the Maharashtra government for dance bars in Mumbai. The rules, which had made it difficult for owners to get licenses, will see them reopen as the apex court said the bars can be regulated but definitely banned in the city. The ruling came after there were several please by hotel and restaurant owners over the years.
The court also struck down the rule that made it mandatory for the dance bars to be one kilometre away from schools and religious places, as they said it did not make sense especially in a place like Mumbai but said the legislature could prescribe a minimum distance. It has also allowed serving alcohol while also saying that the timings, however, will be restricted to being between 6 pm and 11:40 pm, without the use of CCTV cameras. The three judge-bench also said that the government cannot fix the monthly salaries of the dancers because that part is between the employer and the employee. However, the dance bar can have a written contract with the dancer.
In a major move, the Court has banned the showering of coins and said that tips can be directly given to the performers, personally. The rules, which has paved the way for bar owners, have certain limitations as the apex court went on to add that the licenses for the dance bars would be approved only if the dances are not derogatory to a woman’s dignity.