By 2010, Mumbai’s 4.88 lakh establishments including high-end malls and multiplexes will have to ensure that the Marathi font is the largest and boldest on the signboards bearing their names.

The saffron-ruled BMC has given shop-owners two months, ending January, to ensure that the Marathi (Devnagari) script gets precedence. So far, the rule was that signs had to include Marathi but there was no compulsion that it should be the boldest.

Under Section 52 of the Bombay Shops and Establishments Act, 1948, non-implementation of the rule will entail a fine between Rs 1000 and Rs 5,000.

The Federation of Retail Traders and Welfare Association (FRTWA) had filed a petition against the government in 2001, challenging an effort to make Marathi names compulsorily the boldest. Civic officials said the case was disposed of in February but they held back implementation till after the elections.

FRTWA president Viren Shah, however, said the case is still pending in the High Court and there is a stay on display of boards in bold Marathi font. “The HC has disposed of the notice of motion filed by FRTWA against the MNS for threatening and harassing shopkeepers. The MNS wanted names in bold Marathi, even when there was a stay on the matter since 2001. The BMC is reading the order wrong; that is contempt of court as the case is still pending,” Shah said.

Vasant Gosavi, chief inspector, shops and establishments, insisted that the administration action is right. “Most shops have signboards in bold Marathi font and the rest will have to follow. We will take action after the 60-day deadline,” he said.