Double property tax to be imposed on shops without Marathi signboards, from May 1

Starting May 1, shops and establishments in Mumbai that do not display signboards in Marathi or Devanagari script, will incur double property tax, announced the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday. Additionally, the licenses for illuminated signboards lacking Marathi lettering will be promptly revoked, with renewal costs ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹1.5 lakh.

The decision, finalised during a review meeting chaired by BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, comes after the Supreme Court's directive and Maharashtra's regulations mandating Marathi signage. Despite repeated concessions, non-compliance has persisted to an extent, prompting the BMC's decisive action.

Between November 28, 2023, and March 31, 2024, BMC inspections revealed high compliance, with 96.50% of establishments adhering to the regulations. However, 3,040 establishments received legal notices for non-compliance, with fines totalling ₹32 lakh imposed on 343 cases.

With property tax collections amounting to ₹3,196 crore during 2023-24, the BMC's rigorous enforcement aims to uphold linguistic and regulatory standards across Mumbai's commercial landscape.