LexThe Maharashtra Official Languages Act, 1964
Maharashtra · state statute
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this act1965 : Mah. V] 1
THE MAHARASHTRA OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT, 1964
[Text as on 24th October 2024]
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CONTENTS
PREAMBLE.
SECTIONS.
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
1A. Marathi to be the official language of the State.
2. Definitions.
3. Continuance of English language for use in State Legislature.
4. Official language for official purposes of State.
5. Marathi language to be used in Bills, etc.
5A. Provisions in policy for effective implementation of this Act.
5B. Designation of Marathi Language Officer.
5C. Constitution of State Marathi Language Committee.
5D. Constitution of District Marathi Language Committee.
5E. Powers and functions of District Marathi Language Committee.
5F. Proactive disclosure about use of Marathi.
5G. Responsibility of implementation and compliance.
5H. Power of Government to give directions.
5I. Punishment.
6. Power to make rules.
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LIST OF AMENDMENT ACTS
1. Amended by Mah. 2 of 1996 (3-1-1996)
2. Amended by Mah. 36 of 2015 (21-8-2015)
3. Amended by Mah. 14 of 2021 (16-7-2021)
Note .- The date mentioned in the bracket indicates the date of commencement of the Act.
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MAHARASHTRA ACT No. V OF 19651
[THE MAHARASHTRA OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT, 1964.]
[This Act received the assent of the Governor on the 8th January 1965 ; assent was first
published in the Maharashtra Government Gazette, Part IV, on the 11th January 1965.]
[11th January 1965]2
An Act to provide for the adoption of languages which may be used for the official purposes
of the State including purposes of the Legislature of the State.
WHEREAS, it is expedient to provide for the adoption of languages which may be used for the
official purposes of the State including purposes of the Legislature of the State; It is hereby enacted in
the Fifteenth Year of the Republic of India as follows :—
1. Short title, extent and commencement. — (1) This Act may be called the Maharashtra
Official Languages Act, 1964.
(2) It extends to the whole of the State of Maharashtra.
(3) This sections and section 3 shall come into force on the 26 th day of January 1965; and the
remaining provisions of this Act shall come into 3, 4force on such date as the State Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette , appoint; and different dates may be appointed for different
provisions of this Act or different matters referred to in those provisions.
5[1A. Marathi to be the official language of the State. — The official language of the State of
Maharashtra shall be Marathi.]
2. Definitions.— In this Act, unless the context requires otherwise, —
(a) “appointed day” in relation to section 3 means the 26 th day of January 1965, and in
relation to any other provision of this, Act or any such provision in relation to any matter therein
means the day on which that provision or any provision in relation to that matter comes into
force;
(b) “Constitution” means the Constitution of India ;
6[(b-1) “ District Marathi Language Committee ” means a District Marathi Language
Committee constituted in each district under section 5D ;]
7[(c) “Marathi” means the Marathi language in Devnagari script which is adopted in the
State under Government Resolutions issued, from time to time ;]
8[(d) “Marathi Language Officer” means an officer designated as the Marathi Language
Officer under sub-section (1) of section 5B ;
(e) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules ;
(f) “State Government” means the Government of Maharashtra ;
1 For Statement of Objects and Reasons of the L. A. Bill No. LXI of 1964, see Maharashtra Government Gazette , 1964,
Part V, Extraordinary No. 72, dated the 9th November 1964, page 364.
2 This indicates the date of commencement of the Act.
3 Sections 4 and 6 were brought into force with effect from 1 st May 1966, vide G.N. G.A.D., No. OFL -1066 (i)-M, dated
the 30th April 1966.
4 Section 5 was brought into force with effect from 15th August 1965, vide G.N. G.A.D., No. OFL-1095/737/CR-36/95/20-
B, dated the 14th August 1995.
5 Section 1A was inserted by Mah. 36 of 2015, s. 2.
6 Clause (b-1) was inserted by Mah. 14 of 2021, s. 2(a).
7 Clause (c) was substituted by Mah. 36 of 2015, s. 3.
8 Clause (d) to (f) were added by Mah. 14 of 2021, s. 2(b).
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(g) “State Marathi Language Committee” means the State Marathi Language Committee
constituted under section 5C.]
3. Continuance of English language for use in State Legislature. — Notwithstanding the
expiration of the period of fifteen years from the commencement of the Constitution mentioned in
article 210, the English language may, as from the appointed day, continue to be used, in addition to
Hindi and Marathi, for the transaction of business in the Legislature of the State.
4. Official language for official purposes of State. — 1[(1)] Subject to the provisions of this
Act, Marathi shall, as from the appointed day, be the language to the used for all official purposes
referred to in article 345 of the Constitution, as respects the State of Maharashtra except such purposes
as the State Government may, by rules issued from time to time in the Official Gazette, specify, and
Hindi may be used as the official language for such expected purposes.
2[(2) All official purposes under sub-section (1) includes the following namely :—
(a) all internal affairs or business of all offices of the State Government ;
(b) all communication and correspondence to be made with the public in the State by all
offices of the State Government ;
(c) all noting, drafting, all remarks, comments and opinions thereon, manuals, any
administrative proceedings, bye-laws, all types of notices, any administrative work and business,
schemes, programs, policies, decisions, resolutions, administrative and other reports, press
releases, invitation cards, letter -heads or any othe r orders or documents pertaining to public
interface and public interest to be issued by any office of the State Government ;
(d) all administrative and other reports and official papers to be laid before the both Houses
of the Legislature ;
(e) any license, permit, certificate, tender or advertisement to be given or issued by or on
behalf of the State Government or any Department or office thereof ;
(f) all standard forms, proformas or registers to be used or any other documents pertaining to
public interface and public interest in offices of the State Government ;
(g) all sign boards, name plates, notice boards and any other display matters pertaining to
public interface and public interest in offices of the State Government;
(h) all stamps or seals to be used in offices of the State Government;
(i) any other documents or services to be provided through internet and any communication
pertaining to the public interface and public interest to be made through the website, apps, portals
and any other electronic mode of communication by any office of the State Government; and
(j) any other such official purposes as may be prescribed.]
5. Marathi language to be used in Bills, etc.— Marathi shall, as from the appointed day, be the
language to be used —
(a) in Bills introduced (or amendments thereto to be moved) in either House of the
Legislature of the State ;
(b) in all Acts passed by the Legislature of the State and in all Ordinances promulgated by
the Governor of Maharashtra under article 213 of the Constitution ;
(c) in all orders, rules, regulation and bye -laws issued by the State Government under the
Constitution, or under any law made by Parliament or the Legislature of the State :
1 Section 4 was renumbered as sub-section (1) by Mah. 14 of 2021, s. 3.
2 Sub-section (2) was added by Mah. 14 of 2021, s. 3.
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1[Provided that, the State Government may use the English language fo r the purposes of
clauses (a) to (c), if it is satisfied that it is necessary so to do under special circumstances or for
technical reasons.]
2[5A. Provisions in Policy for effective implementation of this Act.— Every office of the State
Government, including offices subordinate and under administrative control of each Department of
Mantralaya, shall make suitable provisions in its policies pertaining to public interface and public
interest for use of Marathi for effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.
5B. Designation of Marathi Language Officer. — (1) Every office of the State Government
shall designate a suitable officer as ‘Marathi Language Officer’ to discharge the functions assigned to
him under this Act.
(2) The Marathi Language Officer shall discharge the following functions, namely :—
(a) receive the grievances or complaints pertaining to non -use of Marathi in official
purposes and implementation of the provisions of this Act in the offic e and to facilitate for its
effective redressal ; and
(b) to take steps to ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act and the
rules made thereunder.
(3) The Head of the Office and any other officer and employees in the office shall render
necessary assistance to the Marathi Language Officer for discharging the functions assigned to him
under this Act.
5C. Constitution of State Marathi Language Committee.— (1) There shall be a State Marathi
Language Committee to exercise the powers conferred on and to discharge the functions assigned to it
under this Act.
(2) The State Marathi Language Committee shall consist of the following members, namely :—
(i) Minister, Marathi Language Chairperson ;
(ii) State Minister, Marathi Language Vice-Chairperson ;
(iii) Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra Vice-Chairperson ;
(iv) Additional Chief Secretary (Services), General
Administration Department
Member ;
(v) Secretary, Marathi Language Department Member ;
(vi) Secretary, School Education Department Member ;
(vii) Secretary, Urban Development Department Member ;
(viii) Secretary, Revenue Department Member ;
(ix) Deputy Secretary, Marathi Language Department Member-Secretary.
(3) The State Marathi Language Committee may invite experts from various fields, as it may
deems fit, from time to time, for the meeting.
(4) The State Marathi Language Committee shall meet at least once in a year.
(5) The State Marathi Language Committee shall exercise the following powers and discharge the
following functions, namely :—
1 This proviso was inserted by Mah. 2 of 1996, s. 2.
2 Sections 5A to 5I were inserted by Mah. 14 of 2021, s. 4.
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(i) ensure and review the implementation of the provisions of this Ac t and the rules made
thereunder ;
(ii) consider an annual report along with recommendations submitted by the District Marathi
Language Committee about action taken by it in discharge of its functions under this Act and to
give directions to the District Marathi Language Committee as it deems fit for effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act ;
(iii) give directions to all offices of the State Government and the District Marathi Language
Committee as it deems fit for effective implementation of the provisions of this Ac t and the rules
made thereunder ;
(iv) Recommend such incentives, rewards or schemes as may be necessary for effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder.
5D. Constitution of District Marathi Language Committee .— (1) The District Collector of
each district shall c onstitute a District Marathi Language Committee in the District to exercise the
powers conferred on and to discharge the functions assigned to it under this Act.
(2) The District Marathi Language Committee shall consist of the following members, namely:—
(i) District Collector Chairperson ;
(ii) Municipal Commissioner Member ;
(iii) Superintendent of Police Member ;
(iv) Chief Executive Officer
(Zilla Parishad)
Member ;
(v) District Education Officer Member ;
(vi) Two representatives amongst the persons residing
in the district from the field of the Marathi language,
arts, performing arts, literature, culture or publications
to be nominated by the District Collector.
Member ;
(vii) Two representatives of the non-Government
institutions, organizations, movements or forums
working in the district in the field of the Marathi
language, arts, performing arts, literature, culture,
publications or libraries to be nominated by the
District Collector.
Member ;
(viii) Marathi Language Officer designated in the office
of the District Collector.
Member-Secretary.
(3) The non -official members referred to in clauses ( vi) and (vii) above shall hold the office for
such period as the District Collector may, by an order, specify.
(4) The District Marathi Language Committee shall meet at least once within three months.
5E. Powers and functions of District Marathi Language Committee .— (1) The District
Marathi Language Committee shall exercise the following powers and discharge the following
functions,
namely :—
(a) give directions to all offices of the State Government in the District for effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder ;
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(b) enquire into and redress the grievan ces or complaints pertaining to non -use of Marathi
for official purposes and implementation of the provisions of this Act and the rules made
thereunder ;
(c) call and receive the necessary information, records and reports pertaining to complaints
or grievances under this Act from all offices of the State Government in the District ;
(d) enquire into and resolve the complaints or grievances regarding implementation of this
Act and dispose them in an expeditious manner ;
(e) direct the concerned office of the State Government to comply with the provisions of this
Act, if found violating any of the provisions of this Act ;
(f) organize various programs, projects, activities, workshops, exhibitions and seminars as
may be directed by the State Government, t ime to time, with regard to the implementation of the
provisions of this Act ;
(g) submit an annual report to the State Marathi Language Committee about action taken by
it in discharge of its functions under this Act along with its recommendations with reg ard to the
effective implementation of the provisions of this Acts ;
(h) Exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be prescribed.
(2) The offices of the State Government shall comply with the directions of the District Marathi
Language Committee within a period of fifteen days from the receipt thereof and forward a compliance
report to the District Marathi Language Committee.
5F. Proactive disclosure about use of Marathi. — Each office of the State Government shall
proactively publish on its website or any other electronic mode or any other mode of communication
which are easily accessible to the public that Marathi is being used in all official purposes, other than
excepted purposes under this Act and rules made thereunder.
5G. Responsibility of implementation and compliance .—The administrative Head or Head of
the Department or Head of the office or Controlling Officer of the office of the State Government shall
be responsible for,—
(a) effective implementation of the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder;
(b) compliance of all directions and instructions issued by the District Marathi Language
Committee, the State Marathi Language Committee and the State Government, from time to time;
(c) Providing all necessary facil ities and service for effective implementation of the
provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder.
5H. Power of Government to give directions. — The State Government may issue such
directions or instructions to all offices of the State Government as may be necessary for effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder.
5I. Punishment. — The Disciplinary Authority shall on receipt of complaint or grievance
regarding non -implementation of the provisions of this Act , initiate disciplinary action against the
concerned Government servant under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules,
1979 or any other service rules or regulations as applicable to him, if found necessary. The
Disciplinary Authority shall submit a report regarding such disciplinary action taken by it to the State
Marathi Language Committee and District Marathi Language Committee.]
6. Power to make rules. — (1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official
Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
(2) Every rule made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before
each House of the State Legislature while it is in session for a total period of thirty days which may be
comprised in one session or in two successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session in which
it is so laid on the session immediately following, both Houses agree in making any modification in the
rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall from the date of publication
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of a notification in the Official Gazette of such decision have effect only in such modified from or be of
no effect, as the case may be; so however, that any such modification or annulment shall be withou t
prejudice to the validity to anything previously done or omitted, to be done under that rule.