Mumbai

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced that the state will amend the Mumbai Police Act during the ongoing monsoon session to close loopholes exploited by dance bar operators to bypass strict regulations.

Fadnavis informed the state assembly that the proposed amendment would ensure that establishments conducting such performances can obtain licences only under the provisions governing dance bars, where strict conditions have been prescribed.

"The loophole in the existing law has been exploited by operators who obtain licences under another law instead of the Dance Bar law. We are bringing an amendment so that such licences can be issued only under the amended Mumbai Police Act. They keep finding loopholes and we keep closing them," he said.

The chief minister was responding to an issue raised by Congress's Nana Patole about dance bars operating in Thane district.

He said that the government has imposed several conditions under the Dance Bar law to enable effective regulation of such establishments.

Responding to concerns about loud DJs and noise pollution, Fadnavis said permissions are granted under the existing Noise Pollution Rules and action is taken against violators.

He assured that the government was also examining, in consultation with the Law and Judiciary Department, a proposal to amend the law to permanently cancel licences of establishments found repeatedly violating the rules.

Fadnavis said the government understood the concerns expressed by members but had to frame laws within the limits of constitutional freedoms.

"There is a difference between public sentiment and the law. We have to ensure that constitutional freedoms are not misused, but there is a very fine legal line," he said.

He further said that action had been taken against police personnel found guilty of wrongdoing in such cases, though he did not have the exact number of officers.

READ MORE: Fauzia Dastango's journey of reviving the art of storytelling

During the discussion, members raised concerns over the growing number of dance bars in parts of Bhiwandi, alleging they had become hubs of crime, and urged the government to tighten regulations.

BJP legislator Sudhir Mungantiwar suggested forming a panel of legal experts to identify possible loopholes in proposed legislation before it is enacted to prevent misuse.