Mumbai: Bar remains high for dance bars to get back in business

The Supreme Court might have relaxed a slew of restrictions on dance bars, but the state government will continue to strictly implement sub-clauses of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, which puts a string of obstacles to the smooth functioning of dance bars in the city, government sources said.

According to a senior official from the state home department, the nitty-gritty of the law will be used to the hilt. "As per the law, it will be mandatory for a customer to obtain a liquor permit to enter a dance bar and consume liquor. Besides, bar owners and bar girls will need to into enter a formal contract. Bar owners can't randomly hire and fire bar girls," he said, requesting anonymity.

He further said that if there were over 10 people working in a dance bar including waiters and bar girls, then the owner would be bound by labour laws and the Shops and Establishment Act.

"Apart from the work contract, the employers will have to make provisions for a provident fund and gratuity to their employees. If they violate any prescribed norm, then immediate action will be taken against them. We have several norms at hand that can be used to put more restrictions on dance bars," the officer added.

Another home department officer said no bar girl would sign an official contract with a bar owner. "They obviously do not want to reveal their true identity. Bar girls often carry fake flashy names to conceal their identity. Besides, through the liquor permit norm, we will come to know who is visiting which bar at what time," he added.

Some legal experts opine that despite the government's best effort to hinder reopening of dance bars, the order will ensure it. Jitendra Patil, a lawyer at the Bombay High Court, welcomed the Supreme Court judgment, saying there are several laws but hardly anything is enforced.

"The local police are corrupt and hand-in-glove with dance bars owners. They will help bars run despite the government's intentions."

ACTS, AND ALL THAT JAZZ

Government sources say state will use maharashtra police act to throw a spanner in the works

700 No. of dance bars operational in Mumbai before state’s ban

650 Dance bars that were operating across state, outside of city

75K Number of dancers that the establishment employed

40K Bar girls that took up other jobs; rest worked as waiters, singers