Maha Council clears bill to make Marathi compulsory in schools

The Maharashtra Legislative Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that makes

Marathi learning and teaching compulsory in schools in the state with a provision for penalty in case of non-compliance.

The Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Bill, 2020, was passed unanimously

in the Upper House and it will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

A bill is generally introduced and approved in the Assembly first and then it goes to the Council. However, in

this case, the Council chairman allowed the minister concerned to introduce the bill in the Upper House first.

According to the legislation, schools found in non- compliance with the provisions of the bill would attract

penalty of up to Rs 1 lakh. The bill covers all schools irrespective of boards

they are affiliated to. Speaking in the house, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray

expressed happiness over the passage of the bill in the Council.

I will also pursue with the Centre the matter of granting classical language status to Marathi. I am happy that

we are clearing the bill," he said. Council Chairman Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar said, As per

legislative procedures, a bill is generally cleared in the assembly and then tabled in the Council.

"But as an exception, I am allowing Subhash Desai, Minister for Marathi Language, to table the bill (in the Upper

House).