Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jun 27: The Karnataka government has issued a directive making the use of Kannada mandatory in all administrative operations across government departments. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against officials who fail to adhere to this mandate, the government has warned.

The order, issued by the state’s chief secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh, follows the instructions of chief minister Siddaramaiah. Despite multiple circulars issued in the past mandating the use of Kannada in official administration, the Kannada Development Authority has reported poor compliance, prompting this renewed enforcement.

According to the latest circular, all government departments must ensure complete implementation of Kannada in administration. Name boards in government offices must be displayed exclusively in Kannada. Any violations will attract disciplinary action.

All applications and letters received in Kannada must be replied to in Kannada. Legislative proceedings, correspondence, notices, and circulars must also be issued in Kannada without exception. Additionally, all government orders related to appointments, transfers, and leave approvals must be issued in Kannada.

Offices must fill in English-language templates, registers, and documents provided to them in Kannada. Internal correspondence and file notations must also be in Kannada. Except for dealings with the central government, other states, and the judiciary, all official communications must be conducted in Kannada.

The directive emphasizes that enforcing the state's language policy at all levels and across all administrative stages is the duty of all officials and government employees.

Government departments, corporations, boards, universities, and other grant-in-aid institutions must strictly enforce the existing orders. Local bodies using English templates and formats must ensure they are replaced and filled out in Kannada. Institutions, officers, and employees are required to implement this mandate without exception.

The circular reinforces the government’s commitment to promoting the Kannada language in governance and ensuring its rightful place in the day-to-day functioning of the administration.