Marathi Becomes Mandatory in Maharashtra's Revenue Proceedings

The Maharashtra government mandated the use of Marathi for hearings and orders in quasi-judicial proceedings within the revenue department. This decision, backed by a new SoP announced by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, aims to make the administration more citizen-centric and streamline procedures, reducing case pendency in revenue courts.

The Maharashtra government has taken a significant step to strengthen regional identity within its bureaucratic processes by enforcing Marathi as the mandatory language for hearings and orders in revenue department's quasi-judicial proceedings.

The initiative, announced by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, is part of a new standard operating procedure (SoP) aimed at enhancing the efficiency and user-centricity of the state's revenue administration. The memorandum outlines the necessity for a citizen-centric approach under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with input considered from legal authorities and governmental bodies.

The SoP sets forth stringent guidelines, including bi-weekly hearings and the digital signing and uploading of orders on the 'e-QJ Court' system. The updated framework is designed to minimize backlog and expedite judicial processes within revenue courts, officials asserted.