From May 1, BMC to double property tax for shops without Marathi signboard

Starting November 28, last year, the BMC had launched its crackdown on establishments who had not put up Marathi language signboards, by carrying out inspections and issuing prosecution notices to such entities.

Data procured from the civic body showed that between November end and March 31, officials had inspected an estimated 87,047 establishments, of which 84,007 entities had erected the signboard with devanagari script.

The remaining 3,040, who had not adhered to the civic norms, have now been served with legal notices, according to the senior civic officials.

Tightening its stance against the violators, now the BMC has sounded that the shops and establishments, who have still not changed their signboards to incorporate the SC directives despite the extended concessions, will be imposed with double the property taxes starting from the next month.

Meanwhile, the licenses of the glow sign boards without Marathi script will be cancelled with immediate effect, with the licensees having to file fresh registrations. According to the authorities, the concerned shop owners will have to bear expenses between Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 1.5 lakh for the same.

The civic body is taking action on the basis of the state government resolution which had been passed unanimously in the Legislative Assembly in February, 2022, by amending the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, which mandated setting up of signboards in Marathi language above all shops and commercial establishments in the state.

While the BMC had initially started taking action on shops and commercial entities from 2022, it was discontinued after the Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA) approached the Supreme Court.

The apex court later issued a temporary stay in 2022 and asked the civic authorities to file a reply.

However, the stay was revoked on September 25 last year, and the civic body gave establishments time till November 25 to set up the Marathi signboards, after which the civic body cracked its whip and started issuing prosecution notices.