Lok Sabha Question No. 225 (STARRED), answered on 2016-05-10
Subject: Promotion of Official Language
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: NEELAM SONKER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*225 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  MAY, 2016/VAISAKHA 20, 1938 (SAKA)

PROMOTION OF OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

†*225. SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government has issued instructions/guidelines to all the Ministries, Departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Banks etc. to use official language Hindi in their respective departments and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  received  complaints  regarding  reply given  in  English  to  communications  received  in  Hindi  and  issuance  of press release in English only by some of the PSUs and Banks, if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard; and

(c)  the  other  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  compliance with the said instructions/guidelines and also to promote the use of Hindi language in Government Offices and PSUs?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*225 FOR 10.05.2016.

(a): Yes, Madam.   An Annual Programme is issued by the Department of Official  Language  every  year  wherein  targets  are  fixed  for  Central Government  Ministries,  Departments,  PSUs,  Banks  etc.  for  the  use  of official language Hindi.

(b): Yes,  Madam,  Department  of  Official  language  receives  complaints regarding reply given in English to communications received in Hindi, off and on, by Central Government Organizations.  As per the received data, 99.4%  letters  received  in  Hindi  have  been  replied  to  in  Hindi  only. Therefore, the cases  of violation are negligible. Similarly,  some complaints have been received in the department regarding issuance of press release in English only.

However,  complaints  regarding  the  letters  received  in  Hindi  and replied to in English and issuance of press release in English only by the offices  are  forwarded  to  the  Administrative  Head  of  the  concerned organization  for  action  as  per  the  rule.        The  Department  conducts reviews on this subject in the various meetings of Committees constituted by the Department.

## L.S.S.Q.NO.*225 FOR 10.05.2016

(c): The Government undertakes the following steps to promote the use of Hindi in Government Offices and PSUs:-

- (i) Quarterly  progress  reports  regarding  progressive  use  of  Official Language  Hindi  are  received  and  reviewed  at  the  end  of  each quarer.
- (ii) An  Annual  Programme  is  issued  by  the  Department  of  Official Language  every  year wherein targets are fixed for central government offices for the use of official language Hindi.
- (iii) Achievements regarding compliance of Annual Progamme are laid on  the  Table  of  both  the  Houses  of  Parliament  in  the  form  of Annual Assessment Report.
- (iv) The  Department  of  Official  Language  Conducts  Hindi  language, Hindi typing, translation and the use of Hindi on computer courses through  its  subordinate  offices  Central  Hindi  Tranning  Institute and Central Translation Bureau for central government employees.
- (v) Official Language Implementation Committees are constituted in Central Government offices etc. to review the progressive use of Official Language Hindi.

## L.S.S.Q.NO.*225 FOR 10.05.2016

- (vi) Town  Official  Language  Implementation  Committees  have  been formed  at  town  level  to  review  the  progressive  use  of  Hindi  in Central Government Offices etc.
- (vii) Hindi Salahkar Samitis are constituted in Ministries/Departments to provide necessary guidelines.
- (viii) The officers of 08 Regional Implementation Offices of Department of Official Language ensure compliance of official language policy through Official Language inspections etc.
- (ix) The  Official  Language  Police  of  Union  in  based  on  inspiration, incentive and goodwill.   Therefore, various incentive schemes are being  implemented  by  the  Department  of  Official  Language  for Government  of  India  offices/personnels  to  promote  the  use  of Hindi.

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