The BMC has extended the deadline for compliance with the Marathi signboards order for shops and establishments. After the state government’s decision, the civic corporation had set a deadline of May 31, which it had later extended to June 10 and now after consultation with shop owners at ward level meetings, there will be no action on non-Marathi signboards at least till June 30.

As per the amendment to the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Act, 2022, all shops will have to compulsorily display Marathi signboards in Devanagari script. The order mentioned that if these boards display the name in more than one language, the Marathi font should not be smaller than the other scripts. The order is binding on all kinds of shops, including garment stores, groceries, offices, restaurants, bars and theatres, irrespective of the size and locality.