The Maharashtra Government on Friday made the use of Marathi mandatory in hearings as well as in all orders passed by authorities in quasi-judicial proceedings in the revenue department.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced a new standard operating procedure (SoP) for these proceedings.
Authorities issued a 29-page Government resolution laying down procedures for handling quasi-judicial cases filed before revenue officers.
“Under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, we intend to make the revenue administration more citizen-centric and dynamic,” Bawankule said.
The Government considered earlier directives, recommendations from divisional commissioners, field-level instructions and observations of the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court while framing the revised procedures for quasi-judicial functioning, he said.
The new SoP also makes it mandatory for all revenue officers to conduct hearings at least twice a week, preferably on Tuesdays and Fridays, while adjournments will be allowed only once and only for valid reasons.
All interim and final orders will have to be uploaded on the 'e-QJ Court' system and issued only with digital signatures. No order can be passed without hearing both parties and recording proper reasoning. Speaking orders should be issued within a maximum period of eight weeks.