Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has amended the Odisha Excise Rules banning dance performances in bars. The amendment prohibits dance bars but allows women aged 21 and above to perform musical programmes or orchestras in licensed ‘on shops’ selling foreign liquor and IMFL with prior written permission from the Excise Commissioner.
As per the new guidelines, a license will be granted if the premises are equipped with CCTV cameras in appropriate places covering the performance stage, and have mechanisms to ensure that the footage cannot be tampered with and is recorded continuously.
The recorded footage from the CCTV cameras will be made available to the IIC of the respective police stations and the OIC of Excise stations.
Performers are required to wear attire that maintains public decency, and the performance stage must be bounded by a railing three feet high, with a minimum distance of five feet between the railing and the customers.
Besides, the bars will have to provide separate washroom and locker facilities for women performers, as well as free travel arrangements to ensure their safety and security.
Smoking will not be allowed in the establishment in accordance with the prohibition of smoking in public places rules, the amendment ruled.
