HYDERABAD : The State government has stated that it has banned dancing in clubs, bars and pubs to prevent law and order problems. Orchestra and singing accompanied by eating and drinking, however, was permitted at these places if the managements obtained amusement licences, Home Minister K. Jana Reddy told the Assembly during question hour on Friday.

               Reddy said the government had banned dancing though only obscenity in it was objectionable. The step was taken in view of law and order concerns arising from obscene dancing. Otherwise, the government had no objection to singing and dancing because it was all there on TV and cinema screen.
               The Minister assured the House that there was no question of giving permission for dancing in clubs and bars in Hyderabad. The High Court had given powers to the Commissioner of Police to initiate action if dancing was noticed. Eight cases were booked for violation of ban in Hyderabad and Cyberabad police limits in the last three years. He admitted that the clubs and bars were kept open till midnight.
               Earlier, D. Manikya Varaprasada Rao (Congress), who raised the question, demanded a law exclusively to deal with obscene dances. A separate machinery should also be created to monitor the menace.
               In the name of checking obscenity, K. Kala Venkata Rao (TDP), said the police were targeting small time record dancers who made a living on the profession in villages. Nomula Narasimhaiah (CPI-M) said an MLA was recently reported to have organised a dance show in his constituency.
               The legislator was personally present at the venue. Nagam Janardhan Reddy (TDP) said a major club in Hyderabad thrived on a similar activity. Moota Gopalakrishna (Congress) said the Superintendents of Police in districts were invited as chief guests at functions where dances took place.