Bengali Must Appear at the Top of All Signboards by September 30

Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has mandated that all shops & establishments display Bengali prominently on signboards, warning of penalties for non-compliance.

What the Notification Says

• Bengali at the top: All business and commercial establishments must place Bengali at the top of signboards.
• Fresh circular & deadline: After the Dec 30, 2024 circular was ignored, a new one dated Aug 30 sets a Sep 30 deadline.
• Enforcement: KMC may pull down non-compliant signboards and apply penalties under the municipal act.

Quick Compliance Checklist

• Ensure Bengali text appears at the top of every signboard.
• Keep English/Hindi below Bengali if desired.
• Replace non-compliant boards before Sept 30.
• Prepare for removal/penalties if ignored.

Background

A similar circular was issued on December 30, 2024, but compliance remained low. The fresh circular of August 30 reiterates the requirement and sets September 30 as the final deadline. KMC has warned it will enforce strictly this time, including removal of non-compliant signage. Advertisers have also been requested to use Bengali in campaigns.

Role of Karma Global in Shops & Establishments Compliance

Karma Management Global offers Payroll, Establishment & Vendor Compliance, People Outsourcing, and Apprenticeship solutions—helping businesses optimise workforce strategies while staying compliant with labour regulations.

We handle Shops & Establishments regulations across India with dedicated professionals in each location to manage registers, returns, and display requirements.