Marathi signboards in Mumbai: BMC hazy over action against violators

As the second deadline given to the commercial establishments for displaying Marathi signboards ends today, the BMC officials are befuddled over what action to take against violators. As per the amendment in the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Condition of Service) Act of 2017, violators will be fined Rs 2,000 per person employed in their shops. However, the ongoing political crisis has put the BMC in a state of limbo.

Conceding to the request of several traders' associations, the BMC extended the deadline for Marathi signboards to be displayed prominently on the shops and commercial establishments in the city till June 30. The earlier deadline ended on May 31, after which the BMC took the review and decided to give one month's time to the traders.

"A few days back, we had a meeting with the traders association, but there are no further instructions from higher authorities about the action to be taken on the shops in the city. Seeing the present political uncertainty in the state government, it will be difficult to start the action from July 1," said sources from the BMC.

FRTWA president Viren Shah said, “We have filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court in the matter of Marathi signboards. Our advocate has requested the Maharashtra government not to take coercive action till the hearing.”

On February 23, the Bombay High Court had upheld the government's decision making it mandatory for all commercial establishments across the state to display Marathi signboards in Devanagari script.

There are around five lakhs establishments in the city.