Just in: The Supreme Court allows dance bars to reopen in Maharashtra.

In a controversial move in 2005, dance performances in bars of the state were banned, but three-star and five-star hotels were kept out of the purview of the Act.

The government could not defend this discrimination when the ban was challenged before the Supreme Court which, in July last year, upheld a Bombay High Court verdict quashing the state government's order, ruling that the ban was discriminatory and violated the Constitutional right to earn a living.

The apex court had ruled that bar dancers could resume working after bars got back their licences for performances.

Last year, the Cabinet had authorised ministers in-charge of Excise, Home and Parliamentary Affairs departments to review the Act and consult group leaders in the state legislature on the proposal to amend the Act and remove the lacuna.

Accordingly, the decision was taken to amend the Act and ban dance performances in three-star and five-star hotels as well.

The government is likely to table the Amendment Bill in the ongoing session of the legislature.