Mumbai Language War: BMC Fines Shops For Not Displaying Marathi Boards; Collects Nearly ₹2 Crore In Fines

Mumbai: After MNS-Uddhav Sena raised their voice against 'Hindi mandatory' in school education, the Marathi issue has become a hot topic in Mumbai. On the other hand, the Municipal Corporation is continuing to take action against shops that do not put up Marathi boards on their shops.

The Municipal Corporation has taken action against 3,133 shops and establishments and has so far collected a fine of Rs 1.98 crore. In addition, shopkeepers who violate the rules will have to face penal action as well as legal proceedings.

Following the directives of the Supreme Court, it has been made mandatory to put up Marathi boards on shops and establishments. There are more than nine lakh shops and establishments in Mumbai. As per the provisions of Rule 35 and Section 36C of the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2018 and the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Act, 2022, the boards of establishments must be in Marathi Devanagari script and in bold letters.

However, many shopkeepers in Mumbai have ignored it. In the meantime, the action of the municipality had cooled down. However, after the atmosphere in Mumbai heated up due to the decision to make Hindi mandatory, it seems that the action has picked up again.

So far, the municipality has made 1 lakh 27 thousand visits in this campaign, and many have also gone to court. The concerned shopkeepers will have to appear in the High Court and the court will decide the amount of fine, the Municipal Corporation informed.

Total visits of the municipality 1,27,584 Marathi boards 1,23,328 A Marathi boards 4,256 Court cases 2,789 Cases confirmed 2,305 Total cases 3,133 Fine Rs. 1,98,17,400 Municipal Action Mode If there is no board in Marathi on the shops, a fine of Rs. 2,000 per worker or legal action has been provided in the law, according to report by Lokmat. 60 inspectors have been appointed at various ward and division levels to inspect shops. The municipality plans to inspect 2,000 to 3,000 shops every day.