Govt to take tough stance against owners for dance in bars: Odisha Law Minister

Stringent actions will be taken against the violators of Odisha Government guidelines prohibiting dance in bars. Accordingly, the licenses of bars following such unethical practice will be withdrawn, warned Excise and Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Friday here.

“The Department has clear-cut guidelines prohibiting the performance of dance in bars. The licensee concerned will be held responsible for any wrongdoing and the license will be cancelled. For the performance of orchestra, there are specific norms stipulating how many decibels of sound can be produced and how a musical programme can be conducted,” the Law Minister said to media persons.

“The state government has informed the High Court and the Court has not yet clamped any stay on the new guidelines. Some bar owners previously moved the state's apex court citing a judgement of the Supreme Court in the matter of a case in Mumbai. However, the Government’s stand in this regard is clear. Anything that is unethical and is against Odia culture will not be allowed,” the Law Minister expressed.

It is pertinent to mention here that reacting yesterday to vulgar dance during Jatra (theatre) shows in the State, Law Minister Harichandan stated, “Government has taken the matter very seriously and a meeting with Jatra party owners will be held soon to bring a new norm to prohibit vulgar dance in Jatra.”