The Karnataka government has issued a directive to all Deputy Commissioners across the state to strictly monitor the mandatory implementation of the Kannada language in nameboards, announced Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi on Friday. Responding to a question from member Umashree in the Legislative Council, the Minister confirmed that the instructions were issued in accordance with the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022.
Minister Tangadagi detailed the specific requirements under Section 17, sub-section 6 of the Act.
All commercial, industrial, and business establishments, trusts, consultancy centres, hospitals, laboratories, entertainment centres, and hotels operating with government or local body permissions must ensure that Kannada is displayed in at least 60 per cent of the nameboard space.
The Kannada script must appear at the top of the nameboard.
He emphasised that the responsibility for enforcing the Act rests entirely with the Deputy Commissioners of all districts. "As enforcement is a continuous process, there was no question of the task being incomplete," he said, noting that directions have been issued to all implementing authorities.
Tangadagi warned that institutions failing to adopt the Kannada nameboard standards would face escalating penalties— first offence would include ₹5,000 fine, second offence will be of ₹10,000 fine. Subsequent offence will be up to ₹20,000 fine, along with the possibility of licence cancellation.
He added that all Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to take swift action as per these provisions.
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