Maharashtra clarifies orchestra licence rules, cultural centres not covered by July circular
MUMBAI: Cultural centres and other public entertainment establishments in Maharashtra will continue to be governed by their existing licensing rules, with the state government clarifying that its July 27 circular on orchestra permissions does not apply to these venues.
In a clarification issued on Friday, the state home department said the July circular was limited exclusively to permissions for establishments hosting live orchestra performances in hotels, restaurants and permit rooms.
It does not cover cultural centres or other categories of public entertainment regulated under rules framed by police commissioners and district collectors under Section 33(1) of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951.
The clarification follows a reference from the Satara district collector, who had sought guidance on the procedure for processing licence applications from cultural centres.
The issue was whether such applications should be dealt with under the public entertainment rules framed under the Maharashtra Police Act or the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act, 2016.
Resolving the ambiguity, the home department has directed all police commissioners and district collectors to process fresh licence applications and renewal requests from cultural centres and other entertainment establishments in accordance with the existing rules applicable in their respective jurisdictions and established procedures.
The department has clarified that the July 27 circular cannot be extended to entertainment categories beyond the specific establishments and performances covered by it.
The clarification is relevant for cultural centre operators and other establishments seeking fresh permissions or licence renewals, as it establishes that their applications will continue to be assessed under existing jurisdiction-specific public entertainment regulations rather than the July circular.
The November 6 circular, issued by Deputy Secretary Sanjay Dhondu Dagale on behalf of the governor, has been uploaded on the Maharashtra government's official website.
However, the circular does not exempt cultural centres from licensing requirements or relax existing conditions. It only clarifies which regulatory framework applies to them.
In a clarification issued on Friday, the state home department said the July circular was limited exclusively to permissions for establishments hosting live orchestra performances in hotels, restaurants and permit rooms.
It does not cover cultural centres or other categories of public entertainment regulated under rules framed by police commissioners and district collectors under Section 33(1) of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951.
The clarification follows a reference from the Satara district collector, who had sought guidance on the procedure for processing licence applications from cultural centres.
The issue was whether such applications should be dealt with under the public entertainment rules framed under the Maharashtra Police Act or the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act, 2016.
Resolving the ambiguity, the home department has directed all police commissioners and district collectors to process fresh licence applications and renewal requests from cultural centres and other entertainment establishments in accordance with the existing rules applicable in their respective jurisdictions and established procedures.
The department has clarified that the July 27 circular cannot be extended to entertainment categories beyond the specific establishments and performances covered by it.
The clarification is relevant for cultural centre operators and other establishments seeking fresh permissions or licence renewals, as it establishes that their applications will continue to be assessed under existing jurisdiction-specific public entertainment regulations rather than the July circular.
The November 6 circular, issued by Deputy Secretary Sanjay Dhondu Dagale on behalf of the governor, has been uploaded on the Maharashtra government's official website.
However, the circular does not exempt cultural centres from licensing requirements or relax existing conditions. It only clarifies which regulatory framework applies to them.
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