Bhubaneswar: The state government Tuesday took a slew of decisions aimed at promoting Oriya language, culture and heritage at all levels. The state Cabinet resolved to set up an Oriya Language Commission, separate the Culture Department from the Tourism Department and Culture Department and establish a Heritage Cabinet.
All the decisions were taken during the Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Puri Circuit House – a deviation from the traditional practice of holding Cabinet meetings at the Secretariat here.
The Cabinet gave its nod to as many as 20 different proposals with a view to propagate and popularise Oriya language and culture.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda said that the Cabinet has decided to set up an Oriya Language Commission to spread as well as preserve the local language. “The Cabinet has also approved a proposal to bifurcate the Tourism and Culture Department and the proposed Cultural Department will be rechristened as Oriya Language, Literature and Culture Department,” the minister informed.
The Cabinet also decided to amend the Orissa Official Language Act, 1954 to include provisions of punishment for not using Oriya in all official work. Besides, incentives will also be announced for employees and departments for using Oriya in official work. Rules for of punishments and incentives will be framed shortly, Panda said, adding, the amended Act will be implemented at the district, revenue and state levels with effect from April 1, 2018.
In addition, it will be mandatory for all shops and business establishments in the state to include displays in Oriya on their signboards within the stipulated timeframe.
Those violating the rules will face punishments. The government intends to amend the existing Orissa Shops and Commercial Establishment rules, 1956, for the purpose.
The Cabinet Tuesday also gave its nod for setting up a Heritage Cabinet to be headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to preserve all monuments and ancient temples as well as initiate steps to safeguard the state’s culture, language and literature.
The meeting also resolved to celebrate the birth anniversary of Atibadi Jagannath Das in a grand manner. At the same time, it was decided that the Bhagabata Tungis will be revived and their maintenance grant would be doubled.
The government will also organise a World Oriya Language Conference every five years. The Cabinet adopted a number of other resolutions to promote Oriya language among students and youths. It decided to waive the fees for students pursuing Oriya course at the graduation and post- graduation levels, while scholarships and stipends would be provided to students securing high marks at intermediate and graduation levels. Students would be encouraged to pursue their research papers in Oriya as per University Grants Commission pattern. The Cabinet also decided to increase the number of PhD seats, while there will be additional incentives for research in Oriya language and literature as per the UGC provisions. The government also resolved to organize state and district level book fairs every year, besides setting up “smart libraries” with Oriya books in all district headquarters and high schools.
Henceforth, non-resident Oriyas will be given access to learn Oriya, while all official replies to letters and complaints received from the public would be given in Oriya language.
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