Marathi signboards | Next course of action to be decided only after apex court gives final ruling: BMC
In February, the government had passed a resolution at the state assembly to amend the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, mandating that signboards be put up on shops and commercial establishments displaying the names of the establishments in Marathi.
The Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA) had approached the SC earlier this year against the order.
The BMC will stop imposing fines on shops and business establishments for not putting up Marathi signboards after the Supreme Court on Friday directed that no coercive action should be taken against retailers till December 18.
In February, the government had passed a resolution at the state assembly to amend the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, mandating that signboards be put up on shops and commercial establishments displaying the names of the establishments in Marathi.
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The order also stated that the font size of the Marathi alphabets should be bigger and bolder than the font size of any other language used in the signboard. The BMC had given till September 30 to put up Marathi signboards, following which it had started taking action against the establishments that violated the norms.
The civic officials have inspected around 12,000 shops, of which around 9,400 had put up signboards in Marathi. The remaining 2,600-odd shops were issued notices for failing to comply to the norms.
The Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA) had approached the SC earlier this year against the order. Viren Shah, FRTWA presiden said that their hardwork has paid off.
When contacted, Sanjog Kabare, deputy municipal commissioner (Specials), said: “We will follow the court order and not take any action till the given date. The next course of action will be decided only after the court gives its final ruling.”
Pratip Acharya is a seasoned journalist based in Mumbai reporting for The Indian Express. With a career spanning over a decade, his work demonstrates strong Expertise and Authority in critical urban issues, civic affairs, and electoral politics across Eastern and Western India.
Expertise & Authority
Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express (IE), reporting from Mumbai.
Core Authority: Pratip's reporting focuses sharply on local democracy and development, specializing in:
Urban Governance and Civic Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis of municipal decision-making, city planning, and local infrastructure, essential for informed urban reporting.
City Politics and Environment: Covering the political dynamics of Mumbai and surrounding areas, alongside critical environmental challenges impacting the metro region.
Electoral Coverage (High-Stakes Experience): He has extensive experience in high-stakes political reporting, having covered major elections, establishing his Trustworthiness in political analysis:
National: Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019.
State: West Bengal Assembly elections in 2016 and Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2019.
Major Assignments (Ground Reporting): Pratip demonstrated commitment during crises by conducting ground reporting throughout the Covid-19 pandemic since its breakout in 2020, offering first-hand accounts and analysis of the public health crisis.
Experience
Extensive Experience: Starting his career in 2014, Pratip has built his foundation across multiple prominent English dailies:
Started at The Times of India in Kolkata (2014).
Relocated to Mumbai (2016) and worked with The Free Press Journal and Hindustan Times before joining The Indian Express.
Pratip Acharya's diverse experience across major publications, coupled with his specialized focus on the intricate details of urban governance and a track record of covering major electoral and health crises, establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for news from India's critical metropolitan centres. ... Read More
