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Maharashtra Govt mandates Marathi for revenue hearings and orders
The Maharashtra government announced a new standard operating procedure mandating Marathi in revenue department quasi-judicial hearings and in orders. The SOP imposes bi-weekly hearings, limits adjournments, requires online uploading with digital signatures, and mandates hearing both parties with reasoned speaking orders within eight weeks. Separate guidelines cover cases related to minor minerals, farm access roads, petitions, clerical corrections, and Maharashtra Land Revenue Code proceedings, aiming to reduce pendency.
Why It Matters
It aims to make revenue administration more citizen-centric and dynamic and to streamline and standardize procedures to reduce pendency.
Timeline
1 Event
Announcement: Marathi mandated for revenue hearings and orders
May 16, 2026
The Maharashtra Government announced a standard operating procedure mandating the use of Marathi in hearings and orders passed by authorities in quasi-judicial proceedings in the revenue department. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule presented the SOP, stating the aim to make revenue administration more citizen-centric and dynamic under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The directives reflect consideration of earlier directives, recommendations from divisional commissioners, field-level instructions, and observations from the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court. The SOP requires revenue officers to hold hearings at least twice a week (preferably Tuesdays and Fridays), limits adjournments to once for valid reasons, mandates uploading interim and final orders to the e-QJ Court with digital signatures, ensures both parties are heard with proper reasoning, and sets an eight-week maximum for speaking orders. It also introduces separate guidelines for cases involving minor minerals, farm access roads, petition matters, clerical correction, and proceedings under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, with the aim of reducing pendency.