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Bengaluru: In a decisive move to reinforce the status of Kannada as the language of governance, the Karnataka government has issued a circular mandating the complete and exclusive use of Kannada in the day-to-day functioning of all government departments and offices across the state.
The official circular, signed and issued by Chief Secretary Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, clearly instructs that Kannada must be used 100% in administration, including in file notings, official correspondence, memos, internal communication, and all types of office documentation.
This directive reaffirms the implementation of the Karnataka Official Language Act and is part of a broader push by the state to ensure that Kannada becomes the sole medium of communication within government operations, while limiting the use of English and other languages strictly to instances involving central government communication or legal compulsion.
The circular warns that non-compliance will result in disciplinary action, and departmental heads have been made accountable for ensuring the instructions are carried out in letter and spirit.
To ensure full compliance, departments are required to:
- Use Kannada in all administrative work, noting, and communications.
- Ensure government software interfaces and digital platforms are Kannada-enabled.
- Submit regular compliance reports to the Department of Kannada and Culture.
According to the government, the objective is not just linguistic pride, but to ensure that citizens can access government services and interact with administration in their native language, enhancing transparency, inclusivity, and ease of governance.
The directive is part of a wider cultural assertion and administrative streamlining, aimed at reinforcing Kannada’s rightful place as the primary language of official business in Karnataka.
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