Mumbai: BMC to act against shops without Marathi signboards

As per the new amendment, all shops and establishments, have to compulsorily display the name of the shop in Marathi

It is now mandatory for shops and establishments to display the names in Marathi, in the Devanagari script, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stated in a circular issued on Wednesday.

Also, liquor shops and bars should not be named after forts, dignitaries and idols, as per the circular.

The civic body said that in case of violation of these rules, the shop and establishment owners concerned would be prosecuted as per the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act.

The names of shops and establishments written in any other language are permitted, however, they should be written in Marathi in the
largest font.

"The state government on March 17, 2022, had made amendments in the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act for Marathi nameplates. On Wednesday, BMC published a circular regarding the same," a BMC official said.

There are 5,08,897 shops and establishments in Mumbai, as per BMC records.

Marathi name plates were compulsory under the old Shops and Establishments Act. In 2017, the state government amended the law, under which shops and establishments having less than nine employees did not need to publish Marathi nameplates. Now, as per the new amendment, all shops and establishments, irrespective of staff strength, have to compulsorily display the name of the shop in Marathi.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, BMC also published a circular for primary schools, making it compulsory to display the name of the school in Marathi along with the registration number. This rule covers all private, aided and unaided schools.