Bhubaneswar: The fate of dance bars in Bhubaneswar that were recently granted permission to operate with some conditions, seems shrouded by clouds of uncertainty again as Odisha Police on Tuesday cancelled the ‘No Objection Certificates (NOC) issued to them by the Fire Services Department.
Senior officials informed that Police DG BK Sharma cancelled the NOCs to several 'On Shop' dance bars citing massive discrepancies in the issuance of such certificates.
As per sources, the certificates were issued to the dance bar owners in February 2017. It is suspected that such documents were allegedly issued by some officials of the Fire services department to dance bar owners in lieu of some favours. Sources said the no objection certificates were issued in contravention of fire safety norms.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Excise Department recently granted permission to as many as seven bars in Bhubaneswar to hold music and dance programmes by engaging bar dancers. However, the bars were strictly asked to adhere to the guidelines laid under the Excise Act 44(5) for organising such dance and musical performances. Apart from installing CCTV cameras, the dance bars were asked not to engage women, who are below 21 years of age, in musical or dance programmes.