The Maharashtra Cabinet on Wednesday forwarded for the governor's approval, an ordinance that makes running dance bars a cognizable, non-bailable offence with imprisonment of up to three years.

"The state Cabinet formally confirmed the ordinance and will send it to the governor for his approval," Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said in the weekly cabinet briefing. He said the objective of the ordinance was to stop extravagant display of money, exploitation of women and the "encouragement" to crime.

• Dance bars: Their side of the story

Under the new ordinance, no establishment set up as an eatery or liquor bar can hold dance display or performances in their premises, Patil said. The ordinance also provides for cancellation of licenses to such eateries or liquor bars, he said.

"The punishment for this offence will be imprisonment for a minimum of three months and fine of Rs 15,000 fine to a maximum of three years and a fine of Rs 3 lakh," the deputy chief minister said.

However, the ordinance keeps pubs away from the ban since according to Patil, the persons visiting these pubs themselves dance on the floor. Similarly, star hotels that wish to conduct any cultural event to entertain guests will also be allowed, provided they take permission as per the guidelines laid down by the Union Tourism Ministry, Patil added.