SHILLONG: The Centre has denied any move to impose Hindi language, a statement issued by PIB Shillong on Tuesday said.
The statement said many media reports referred to the resolution issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Official Language, and it was alleged that it has been made mandatory for members of Parliament and Ministers knowing Hindi to deliver their speeches in Hindi.
The statement said the Committee of Parliament on Official Language was constituted in 1976 and is working since then.
The committee has submitted its report in nine parts. The ninth part of the report was submitted to the President on June 2, 2011.
The PIB statement said the then chairman and deputy chairman of the Committee had given 117 recommendations. However, as the views of all state governments and ministries were invited, it took time for the proposals to get the President’s approval.
“Recommendation No. 105 says ‘all dignitaries, including the President, and all the Ministers, especially who can read and speak Hindi, may be requested to give their speech/statement in Hindi only,” the PIB statement said.
The central government, while accepting the above mentioned recommendation, has issued a resolution on March 31.
The statement pointed out that the proposal is clearly a request and does not entail any form of order/instruction. “The aforementioned recommendation is in pursuance with constitutional and statutory provisions regarding the progressive use of official language Hindi,” it added.
Also, the recommendation is based on the policy of propagation; promotion of official language through motivation and inspiration, which is in line with the Government’s Policy.
