Telugu Language Development Authority constituted

Vijayawada: The State government issued orders on Tuesday to set up the Telugu Language Development Authority. The Authority would work under the supervision of the State Telugu Language, Culture and Tourism Department. The department would appoint functionaries for the Authority. The government also decided to allocate Rs 25 crore for the implementation of Telugu language.

Interestingly, the government has plans to impose fines up to Rs 50,000 and six months imprisonment for the gross negligence in Telugu language implementation. Any person who owns an enterprise should display its name board in Telugu lest he should be punished with a fine of up to Rs 50,000 and in case the person commits the same offence twice he shall be punishable with an imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months in addition to fine.

The State Tourism and Language culture secretary Mukesh Kumar Meena issued orders in this regard. The Authority would work for development of Telugu language in the State, which would include the following:

• Any head of Government Department or agency who is responsible for preparation of plaques for foundation or inauguration of Government functions in Telugu and does not do so shall be punishable with a fine of up to Rs 10,000.
• Any head of Government Department or agency who does not use Telugu official language for his correspondence between departments or with public as prescribed by the Government shall be punishable with a fine of up to five thousand rupees;
• Any head of Government Department who does not review implementation of Telugu as official language shall be punishable with a fine of up to Rs. 5,000.
• Any public servant, who does not use Telugu as official language for his interaction with the public, shall be punishable with a fine of up to Rs. 10,000.
• Any person who owns an educational institution does not implement Telugu syllabus or Telugu as a medium of instruction shall be punishable with a fine of up to Rs. 50,000 or to an imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months.

The Chairmen to be appointed by State government and principal secretaries of General Administration, Law, Labour, Language, Culture and Education departments would be the members in the Authority. The Authority would work towards the implementation of Telugu language in all the official communication and maintenance of government records.

The Authority would give training to the officials of other States and also conduct exhibitions on Telugu language. The Authority would conduct district and Mandal level reviews for the implementation of Telugu language in government offices. Similarly, all the boards would be set up in Telugu at railway stations, airports, bus stations and all government offices.