:dateline:Marking the International Mother Language Day on February 21, the state government of Punjab has made it mandatory for all government and semi-government institutions, boards and corporations to have all signboards in Punjabi language. The move is applicable also on the milestones on state highways.
The state Department for Higher Education and Languages has issued an order in this regard using the provision available under Section 4 of the Punjab State Language Act 1967.
It has been clarified in the order that Punjabi language would have to be given priority on every sign board and other languages can be written below Punjabi in smaller font.
However, it is learnt that the order will not apply to the national highways and various Union Government departments.
“I have already sent letters to the heads of all state departments, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, district session judges, secretary, Vidhan Sabha, registrar, Punjab and Haryana High Court, chairmen of boards and corporations and all semi-government organisations,” informed Rahul Bhandari, Secretary for Higher Education and Languages.
Punjab Higher Education and Languages Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa informed that the department has written to the Labor Department to issue a separate notification to implement this decision in private business, industrial and educational establishments.
