Signboard for Supreme Swad Sumerpur Rajasthan in Devnagri (Hindi & Marathi)
Signboard for Supreme Swad Sumerpur Rajasthan in Devnagri (Hindi & Marathi)
All shops and commercial establishments in Maharashtra are required to display signboards in Marathi, written in the Devanagari script. This mandate is based on an amendment to the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017, which was officially enacted in March 2022.
Key provisions of the law
Mandatory for all shops: The 2022 amendment extended the rule to include all establishments, regardless of staff size, closing a previous loophole that allowed smaller shops to be exempt.
Font size and placement: The Marathi script must be placed prominently on the signboard and its letters must not be smaller than the font size of any other language used.
No specific languages prohibited: The law does not ban other languages but ensures the Marathi script is a prominent feature.
No historical names for liquor shops: Establishments that sell or serve alcohol are prohibited from using the names of legendary historical figures or forts on their signboards.
Supreme Court and civic action
Legal challenges failed: The Supreme Court dismissed a petition by the Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA), upholding the state’s right to enforce the rule. The court emphasized that requiring the local language is a “reasonable requirement”.
Enforcement by BMC: Following the court’s decision, authorities like the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have conducted inspection drives and issued notices to non-compliant shops.
Penalties for non-compliance:
Fines: The maximum fine is ₹2,000 per employee for non-compliant establishments.
Increased property tax: In April 2024, the Mumbai civic body also announced that shops failing to display Marathi signboards would have their property tax doubled.