No obscene dance at bars and jatra pandals in Odisha, says Law Minister

The Odisha government has come up with a new set of rules for bars, prohibiting them from performing obscene dance, informed Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Wednesday. 

Speaking to the media in Bhubaneswar, Harichandan said, “Bar dance will not be allowed as it is against Odia culture and our government will never promote vulgarity.”

“Though the bar owners have moved court, we have amended the rules. We will inform the court about the same. Only orchestra will be allowed in the bars,” he added.

Commenting on vulgar dance during Jatra shows in Odisha, the Law Minister said, “A meeting with the Jatra party owners will be held soon as the government has taken the matter very seriously. A new rule to prohibit vulgar dance in jatra will come up soon.”

On Tuesday, the Odisha government issued a notification regarding holding orchestra and musical programmes in bars across the state. 

The state government has made some changes under the Odisha Excise (Amendment) Rules, 2024, allowing the bars to hold orchestra and musical programmes. 

As per the amended guidelines, women, not below 21 years of age may be engaged in musical programmes or orchestra in the licensed ON shop premises having a bar license to sell foreign liquor and IMFL for consummation on the premise with prior written permission of the Excise Commissioner.

The premises of bars must have CCTV cameras at appropriate places. If the cameras don’t function, the concerned bar owner must immediately inform the concerned OIC of the Excise Station and the police station under which it falls.