The Maharashtra government has issued a Government Resolution (GR) making it mandatory for employees in government and semi-government offices to use Marathi while communicating with visitors. This new directive aims to ensure better accessibility for Marathi-speaking citizens and reinforce the use of the language in official communication across the state.
As per the resolution issued on Monday, employees must communicate in Marathi with all visitors, with the exception of those coming from outside India or from non-Marathi-speaking states. The decision applies to government offices, semi-government bodies, and corporations under the Maharashtra government, as well as other related departments.
Failure to comply with the new rule will be considered an act of official indiscipline. Citizens who encounter non-compliance can lodge complaints with the relevant department or office head. If a complainant is dissatisfied with the action taken, they have the right to escalate the issue to the Marathi Language Committee of the Maharashtra Legislature for further intervention.
This move is part of a broader effort to promote the Marathi language in public affairs and official business. The Marathi Language Policy, approved last year, emphasized the importance of preserving and developing Marathi through its widespread use in public offices. As part of the policy, the GR also mandates that personal computer keyboards in all offices be equipped with Marathi Devanagari alphabets in addition to Roman alphabets.
The government hopes that this step will not only protect the language but also make government offices more accessible to Marathi-speaking citizens, ensuring a smoother experience when dealing with administrative matters.
Sources By Agencies
