The Chennai Corporation is likely to launch a drive to suspend trade licences of shops that do not display name boards in Tamil. The State government is preparing to intensify action against such violations, with senior officials set to hold a meeting this week to enforce existing statutory provisions mandating Tamil signage in shops and establishments, according to a report by The Hindu.
As per the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023, the Corporation may revoke or suspend trade licences for non-compliance. Each year, around 70,000 shops in the city are issued trade licences by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC).
Currently, licences are issued after traders declare that their name boards will prominently display Tamil, with English and a third language in smaller font sizes, following a 5:3:2 ratio. This week, the GCC is expected to conduct checks to identify violations of this condition.
If non-compliance is found, shop owners will be issued a written notice, citing the grounds for action and asked to respond within seven days. After reviewing the response and offering an opportunity to be heard, the Corporation may revoke or suspend the licence. Suspended licences can be reinstated once the trader complies with the rules, the report mentioned.
Meanwhile, the State government is also planning to promote the use of Tamil in naming residential apartments and commercial complexes. Referring to name boards in cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, and Madurai, the government has already directed urban local bodies to encourage the use of Tamil signage. Councillors of the Chennai Corporation have echoed this demand. Ward 35 Councillor S. Jeevan pointed out that many shops in the Central Business District still do not have name boards in Tamil.