The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that from May 1, 2025, shops and businesses in mumbai without Marathi signboards will have to pay double the property tax. Establishments with lit boards that do not display Marathi will face immediate cancellation of licenses.
The Supreme Court had also given all establishments a two-month deadline to follow these rules. This deadline ended on November 25, 2024. BMC has also raised license renewal fees. Stores will now have to pay between INR 25,000 and INR 1.5 lakh for renewals.
This action comes after many businesses failed to follow the rule that requires all establishments to have name boards in Marathi using bold Devanagari script. Despite earlier notices and hearings, many shops did not comply.
So far, BMC has penalised 343 shops, collecting fines of INR 32 lakh. Another 177 cases went to court, leading to additional penalties of about INR 14 lakh. Legal notices have now been sent to 3,040 more businesses that still have not updated their signboards.
This action is based on Rule 35 and Section 36C of the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Rules, 2018, and its amendment in 2022. The goal is to increase compliance and support the Marathi language and culture in Mumbai’s business sector.
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