The Maharashtra government has issued order to all civic bodies to embrace the state language, Marathi, while putting out advertisements, tenders and notices to citizens. The move comes on the back of objection taken by some legislators that government departments are using English language while communicating with citizens and issuing advertisements.
“Every municipal corporation and council should use the Marathi language for daily functioning. Also, advertisements, tenders and notifications to citizens should be given out in Marathi as well even if English is being used,” said the government order issued by Urban Development Department on November 19.
The order said that government has declared Marathi as state language since the formation of Maharashtra in 1965. It has also been made compulsory to conduct functioning of the state in Marathi language as per the Maharashtra Official Languages Act 1964.
“It was observed that municipal corporations and councils use English for advertisements, tenders and notifications to citizens. The issue was raised during a budget session of the legislature in 2013. Some of the members of the legislature council expressed displeasure over the use of English by the government. The government then assured the house that use of Marathi language will be made compulsory,” said the order.
An official from Urban Development Department said that the move was prompted by Sena’s insistence. “The assurance was given in 2013 in the house but was pending for implementation. The Sena pursued it, as it has remained their agenda,” said the official.
Promotion of Marathi language has remained one of the prime agendas of Sena for years. The party’s violent agitations to change nameplates of shops and establishments into Marathi are well known.
Expressing pleasure over the decision, Sena MP Arvind Sawant said the President has approved a three language formula. “Priority here is first the state language which is Marathi, then the national language Hindi and last English. We respect all three languages but our emphasis is on use of Marathi since people here speak and understand it,” he said.
