After an uproar on news report about Chandigarh administration imposing a ban on mini-skirts at discotheques, UT Home Secretary Anurag Agarwal on Wednesday clarified that no dress code has been prescribed in the Controlling of Places of Public Amusement policy 2016. Trashing the news report, Agarwal said that there is no mention of dress code in the policy. He further said that the policy has been misinterpreted and the news has created wrong impression about City Beautify. “The news item has distorted the whole policy by picking up words and phrases from different part of the policy and have tried to create sensational news,” said Agarwal. “Chandigarh is a modern city and administration can never thing of taking such absurd decision,” he added. [related-post] The policy, which was formulated on the direction of Punjab and Haryana High Court, was notified on February 26 and it came into force on April 1. Under the policy, discotheques will not be allowed to function beyond 12 midnight and bars and discotheques have been directed not to serve liquor to individuals below the age group of 25 years. As per the policy the owners of bar\discotheques are responsible for carrying out all the provisions under the policy and for good management and safety of general public. The owners are required to display permission certificate issued by the nodal officer at prominent places. The copy of photo identity card of the guest issued by any government authority shall be obtained before entering the public amusement or entertainment place. All the bar\discotheques shall issue photo identity card to all staff members and shall maintain daily record for sale of tickets and passes issued. They are also required to get CCTV installed at entrance and other prominent places, thus monitoring the general activities of the staff and guests. As per the policy, owners shall make necessary arrangement for deployment of male and female bouncers. Display of contact number of taxi cab operators, concerned area SHO and other emergency number have been made mandatory under the policy. Non compliance of the laid down norms will lead to suspension and cancellation of permission certificate. Administration has constituted monitoring committee for keeping a check on functioning of such business by way of inspection.
