Patrons of dance bars have begun to shower fake notes, flowers and even plastic coins on dancers.
FosterGem/representational image
The Supreme Court had backed the state government's move to stop the practice of showering currency in August. Currently, only a handful of dance bars are operating in the city for an hour a day, as they await a Supreme Court order later this month on new regulations suggested by the state government.
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Hoteliers and bar owners, on their part, have been requesting customers to not shower banknotes as it amounts to a breach of law and can invite police action.
BCCL/representational image
Adarsh Shetty, president of Ahar, an association of more than 8,000 bars and restaurants, said all members have been requesting their patrons not to indulge in the practice. "Some of us are encouraging the use of flower petals instead, which is being widely accepted by our patrons," he added.
Bharat Thakur, president of the Dance Bar Association, affliated to Ahar, said other than fake notes and flowers, colourful plastic coins are being widely used too.
BCCL/representational image
"We have started giving patrons plastic coins, flowers or play notes. This is necessary not because of the currency shortage, but to ensure the sanctity of the legal tender in business," he said.
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Orchestra and dance bar owners, say that in any case, following the cash crunch, very few customers have been even coming in.
The Quint/representational image
To tide over the currency crisis, several bars and restaurants have started offering multiple-visit packages for Rs 2,000 notes to avoid paying loose change. However, many of them located near hospitals and stations have been offering exchange for old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes if the bills are above Rs 300 and Rs 600, respectively.
Around 60% of bars and restaurants in the city have the facility to swipe cards but the rest are struggling to keep their smaller currency reserves intact.