MUMBAI, March 19 -- Amid growing concerns that spa centres are increasingly being used as fronts for prostitution and human trafficking, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday said it is preparing new guidelines for making police approval mandatory before spas can begin operations. The issue was raised in the legislative council by BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe through a calling attention motion, in which he alleged that several illegal spas operating in cities such as Pune, Navi Mumbai and Thane were being used for flesh trade activities. Minister of State for Home (Urban) Yogesh Kadam told the House that a committee has already been formed to draft regulations that will tighten oversight over spa centres across the state. "The committee, headed by the additional chief secretary (Home), will frame rules to regulate spa centres. Under the proposed system, operators will need approval from the home department, essentially the police, in addition to permissions under the Shops and Establishments Act," Kadam said. He added that the panel includes officials from the urban and rural development departments and is expected to submit its report to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis soon. The new rules are likely to be finalised within three to four months. Legislators flagged several recent cases to underline the growing concern over spa centres being misused for trafficking and prostitution....