In a move to strengthen the use of Marathi in administration, the Maharashtra government has mandated that all government and semi-government offices use Marathi in official communication. The resolution, issued by the state planning department, is part of the state’s Marathi language policy.
Mandatory Use in Communication and Signage
According to the government resolution (GR), employees in government departments, local bodies, state-run corporations, and aided offices must communicate in Marathi when speaking to visitors. Exceptions are made only for visitors from outside India or other states. The GR also mandates that all government offices display boards emphasizing the use of Marathi.
Strict Enforcement and Penalties
The resolution states that complaints against officials not using Marathi can be reported to department heads, who are responsible for taking disciplinary action after verification. Additionally, all official documents, proposals, correspondence, orders, presentations, and websites must be in Marathi.
Impact on Banks, Advertisements, and Corporations
The trilingual policy of the central government requires name boards, application forms, and notices in Marathi in central government offices and banks within Maharashtra. Moreover, Marathi names must be used for all government-backed enterprises, corporations, and institutions. Even advertisements issued by government-supported enterprises must be in Marathi.
Strengthening Marathi’s Status
The government’s decision follows Marathi’s recognition as a classical language in October last year, alongside Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. This initiative is part of broader efforts to promote and preserve the language across Maharashtra.
