ENS

Bangalore, Aug 20: After coming down on illegal discotheques in the city, Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari issued stringent guidelines regarding the issue of licences for cabarets, live bands and discotheques.

Bidari filed a detailed report on Monday with a set of new guidelines while the court was hearing the live band owners’ case. According to the fresh guidelines, the application for grant of licence to run cabarets, discotheques or live bands should be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

While submitting the application, the approved plan of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike, the Bangalore Development Authority or any other civic agency, and a copy of the partnership deed should be enclosed. Also, a copy of the lease agreement or the title deed, a certificate from the approved electrical contractors regarding the safety of electrical installations and a certificate from the fire brigade regarding the safety of the premises and an occupation certificate from the civic authority should also be submitted. Applications should be made with a licence fee of Rs 20,000.

After the applications are submitted, an acknowledgement will be issued if the DCP finds the application in order; acknowledged applications would be sent to the jurisdictional inspector for a detailed inspection of the premises.

The new guidelines also require the DCP to publish a public notice in the newspapers, inviting any objections from the public within 15 days from the date of issue of the publication. The jurisdictional inspector will visit the premises and submit a report to the Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP). The ACP will forward the report to the DCP. The DCP will then send it to the commissioner, who is empowered to issue the licence.

During inspection, the inspector will take care to ensure that his inspection takes into account all safety and other considerations. If the inspection is found inadequate, the inspector is liable to be held responsible, according to the new guidelines.

The entire process must be completed within 38 days from the submission of the application. After granting of licences, the inspector must carry out regular inspection the premises.