Odisha Govt To Cancel License Of Bars Holding Dance Show: Minister

Bhubaneswar: Making it clear that bars in the state are allowed to hold only musical programmes, the Odisha government on Friday warned that any attempt to present dance shows will invite stern action.

Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan told reporters that any form of dance show has been banned in all bars across the state and those found violating the guidelines will face cancellation of their license.

He said the state government recently amended the Odisha Excise (Amendment) Rules, 2024, allowing bars to hold only orchestra and musical programmes.

Asserting that no programme in bars should deviate from Odia culture, the Minister said bars should also strictly adhere to the guidelines laid down for holding orchestra and musical programmes.

Notably, the notification issued by the Excise Department also stated that women, not below 21 years of age, can 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 Excise Commissioner, however, will be imposing some restrictions before granting the permission and these include:> CCTV cameras at appropriate places, including the performance stage, on the premises of dance bars while ensuring that these cannot be tampered with and remain switched on round-the-clock.

The recorded footage of the CCTV camera have to be made available to the IIC of the police station concerned and officer-in-charge of Excise Station.

If the cameras don’t function, the bar owner must immediately inform the concerned OIC of the Excise Station and the concerned police station. There will be no orchestra or musical programme if the cameras become defunct.

The owners must maintain records of the names and addresses of women performing in musical programmes and orchestras. Performers should wear clothes in accordance with public decency.