Mumbai to impose double property tax for non-Marathi signboards
Mumbai will face double property tax if they fail to display signboards in Marathi or Devanagari script. This was announced by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) today.
The BMC further stated that it will revoke the licenses of illuminated boards lacking Marathi or Devanagari lettering, with license renewal costs ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh. This enforcement aligns with the Supreme Court's directive and the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Rules.
The BMC's decision was approved during a review meeting chaired by BMC commissioner-cum-administrator Bhushan Gagrani in view of the compliance deadline set by the Supreme Court earlier.
«The Supreme Court had given two months for displaying Marathi language or Devanagari script on signboards in shops and establishments before the November 23, 2023, deadline. Thereafter, the civic body launched a drive to check for compliance from November 28, 2023,» the BMC said in a release.
The civic body had started a drive to ensure compliance was initiated from November 28, 2023, in which 96.50% of the 87,047 checked establishments were found to have Marathi signboards. However, 3,040 establishments received legal notices for non-compliance, with cases either in court or being resolved administratively.
«Some cases, in which notices have been issued, are being heard in court, while others appear for hearing before the Deputy Commissioner (Special) for administrative method of settling the case as per the provision in the Act,» BMC said.
The corporation
