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| JK Official Languages Act, 2020 confined to papers only | | Government machinery works as per past procedures, new rules thrown to wind | | Early Times Report
jammu, July 4: Even after nearly a year of passing of Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act which recognized Hindi, Dogri and Kashmiri languages like Urdu and English as the new official languages of the Union Territory, the government machinery continues to function like before.
After the removal of Article 370, Hindi, Dogri and Kashmiri languages were also recognized like Urdu and English under the Official Languages Act in 2020, but they have not been used in administrative work so far. All the documents of the Revenue Department, as per the reports coming to the fore, are still in Urdu and English language only.
Last year, when Dogri, Kashmiri and Hindi, spoken in the state, got the status of official languages, employment opportunities in these languages arose among the youth of the state. The people of the state felt that now these languages will be used in official work, but even after a year, the situation has not changed.
According to the 2011 census, only 0.16 per cent of the population in Jammu & Kashmir spoke Urdu, while 2.3 per cent spoke Hindi. The government on September 23, last year has said that it would also take steps to encourage other local languages like Punjabi, Gurjari and Pahari in the region.
The government at that time termed it "unfortunate" that Punjabi was not included in the Bill and urged the government to reconsider it. The J&K Constitution included Punjabi and the first Chief Minister of J&K was a Punjabi.
"It hurts the feelings of those who are settled there. I would urge the government to reconsider because language is the basis of cultural heritage of the community," the government stated this in the parliament. It added 13 lakh Punjabis live in Jammu & Kashmir.
On September 28, last year, the President gave his assent to the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020. As per the Centre's notification, Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi and English shall be the languages used for all or any official purpose in the Union Territory
The Act also stated that the administrator (lieutenant governor) may, for the promotion and development of regional languages of the Union Territory, take necessary steps to strengthen existing institutional mechanisms such as the Academy of Art, Culture and languages in the Union Territory. It further provided that institutional mechanisms shall make special efforts for the promotion and development of Gojri, Pahari and Punjabi languages.
However, now when a year is about to pass, there is no forward movement being witnessed vis-à-vis the implementation of the much hyped Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act-2020. The government offices continue to operate as per the past procedure in vogue, leaving a little room for the implementation of new rules and guidelines. |
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