Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that the government will bring a comprehensive new legislation on the dance bar ban in the Budget Session commencing on Wednesday. An all-party meeting would be convened to discuss the draft in the first week of the Budget Session.

Fadnavis said, “There is absolutely no ambiguity about strictly enforcing the ban on dance bars across Maharashtra. While the government holds the highest reverence for the directives of the Supreme Court, where we fall short to portray our view is a matter of perception.”

He asserted that, “With due respect to the apex court, most of our conditions were approved. There was only one difference where the apex court said CCTV cameras should be installed at the doors and not inside dance bars.”

According to Fadnavis, “Even in five-star restaurants, CCTV cameras are installed inside and there is no question of parity or prejudices against five-star hotels and dance bars. Nor does it infringe on privacy.”

“There is no question of allowing dance bars. Moreover, our new Act will provide all the safeguards to ensure dance bar ban will continue,” he added.

Fadnavis argued that, “The ban on dance bars is an outcome of public demand.”

Fadnavis said, “The former home minister late R R Patil had once approached us when it was challenged. As opposition party, we had then given immediate support even before reconsidering their new draft.”

By Premji