Hindi state’s official language, officially

CHANDIGARH: The BJP government has taken a cue from its Punjab counterpart for implementation of its state language

Updated At : 06:45 AM Feb 02, 2018 IST

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 1

The BJP government has taken a cue from its Punjab counterpart for implementation of its state language. Seeing the success of use of Punjabi as the official language in the neighbouring state, the Haryana Government today cracked the whip on use of Hindi as the official language in the state.

The state government asked various departments, boards and corporations to make all official comments and correspondence only in the national language.

While normal correspondence with the general public would also be in Hindi, the departments had been asked to ensure clear translation of all forms and applications forms in Hindi and English and upload these on their websites for people’s inconvenience.

Though the Official Language Act, 1969, provided for adoption of Hindi as the language to be used for official purposes in Haryana, the Act was yet to be implemented in letter and spirit. On the other hand, the Punjab Official Language Act, 1967, was being implemented successfully in the neighbouring state.

Now, the Haryana Government had directed the authorities concerned to ensure strict compliance with the new directions. However, the use of English would continue in legal matters related to the Supreme Court, Punjab and Haryana High Court and other courts.

Since taking over the reins on October 26, 2014, the BJP government had been taking pride in Hindi and those associated with the language as the state was the outcome of the language agitation.

Last year, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had announced lifetime monthly pension of Rs 10,000 for Hindi ‘satyagrahis’ imprisoned during the Hindi ‘satyagraha’ launched by the Punjab Arya Pratinidhi Sabha in 1957. The government had identified 194 ‘satyagrahis’ for pension and other benefits.

Taking cue from Punjab

Though the Official Language Act, 1969, provides for adoption of Hindi as the language to be used for official purposes in Haryana, the Act is yet to be implemented in letter and spirit
On the other hand, the Punjab Official Language Act, 1967, is being implemented successfully in the neighbouring state
Now, the Haryana Government has directed the authorities concerned to ensure strict compliance with the new directions
However, the use of English will continue in legal matters related to the Supreme Court, High Court and other courts