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Journalism of Courage
CHANDIGARH, October 20: If you are a Punjab Government official and not using Punjabi in official correspondence, you are asking for trouble. Officials not using Punjabi language face strict action which may include censure, stoppage of annual increment and even denial of promotion by the Departmental Promotion Committee. This decision has already been circulated to all heads of department.
Punjab Languages Department Director Madan Lal Hasija told ENS here today that the punitive measure had been taken by the state government to ensure strict enforcement of the Punjab Official Languages Act, 1967, which makes it mandatory for all officers and the administration to use Punjabi, which had been declared official language of the state as early as April 13, 1968.
Hasija disclosed that a new column had been introduced in the proforma of annual confidential report (ACR) which seeks to convey whether an official used Punjabi in doing his official work or not. The Chief Secretary had directed all departments to not only incorporate the column in the proforma but also ensure that it was not left blank while preparing the ACR. Those defying the orders face action under Rule 3 of the Official Code of Coduct Rules, 1966, and Rule 5 of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeals) Rule 5, 1970.
Pursuing things to their logical conclusion, Hasija said, it had been decided not to allow purchase of any new English typewriter by any department without specific clearance from the Languages Department. The English typewriters were being gradually phased out. About 100 of these had been withdrawn and deposited in the central stores at Chandigarh, about 50 of these had come from the Civil Secretariat and the mini–secretariat while the rest from different boards and corporations.
An office with a minimum workload of typewriting 600 pages a month would be allowed to keep an English typewriter. Those having less workload will have to share the English typewriter with another office in keeping with the prescribed norms.
Hasija said that languages officers in the districts had been assigned the task of conducting surprise checks in government offices to ensure that official work was done in Punjabi. Any lapse brought to the notice of the Languages Department would be acted upon. The matter will be referred to the concerned head of department to initiate action against the defaulting officer or employee.
Small wonder that the number of defaulters not using Punjabi in official work is on the decline. Hasija said that his department was carefully examining all circulars and letters issued by different departments and if any letter written in English was detected it was immediately referred to the concerned head of department for necessary action.
Punjab Minister for Higher Education and Languages Manjit Singh Calcutta has already written to the Chief Minister and other ministers in the state seeking cooperation in implementation of the Punjabi language in official work.
