Tuesday, April 19 2005 10:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Pune: Maharashtra Government will not go back on its decision to close dance bars in the State, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said yesterday (Apr 18, 2005).

"It is a policy decision (of closing the dance bars) taken by the State Cabinet and therefore there is no question of going back on it," Deshmukh said in an informal chat with reporters on the sidelines of the function to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Geet Ramayan in Pune.

Asked about opposition to the Government decision from certain sections of the Congress, including Union Minister Sunil Dutt, Deshmukh said they had every right to hold on their personal opinions and reiterated the Government resolve not to give up under pressure from any quarters.

In fact, the work to ensure the closure of the dance bars would begin shortly, he added.

He said the State Government was open to the proposal on the rehabilitation of the dancing girls in the event of their losing their right to livelihood.