A Maharashtra government resolution (GR) issued on Wednesday stated that except a few words, it was mandatory for all departments to communicate in Marathi.
The rules were issued way back on May 18, 1982. On July 18, 1986, the state government issued another notification that defined the fines that officers would have to pay if they were found communicating only in English.
Environment minister Ramdas Kadam said that after the GR notification on Wednesday, stricter warnings have been issued to the department heads and secretary to follow the state government rules.
The action that can be taken against officers who contravene the rules include a written warning, a mention in the confidential records, denial of increment for a year and even denial of promotion for a year.
Sudhir Mishra, associate researcher at the Pune said it is fine to use it for official communication. “However, English should also be used in addition. Many may not understand or read Marathi, hence an alternative language is necessary,” he felt.