Maharashtra govt. warns babus to communicate only in Marathi or face charges.

[Desmond]

One question I ask myself at least once everyday is "Why are there so many retards around?"

PUNE: A Maharashtra government resolution (GR) issued on Wednesday stated that barring a few words, it was mandatory for all departments to have communication in Marathi.

The rules were issued way back on May 18, 1982. On July 18, 1986, the state government issued another notification that defined the fines that officers would have to pay if they were found communicating only in English.

The state has warned of disciplinary action against officers of the state environment department if they continue to avoid using Marathi in official communication.

Environment minister Ramdas Kadam told TOI on Wednesday, "It is true that the officers were using only English for communication. Several files from the department that were brought to me to be signed were only in English till a few days back. I have returned all those files."

Kadam said that after the GR notification on Wednesday, stricter warnings have been issued to the department heads and secretary to follow the state government rules.

The action that can be taken against officers who flout the rules include a written warning, a mention in the confidential records, denial of increment for a year and even denial of promotion for a year.

Sudhir Mishra, associate researcher at the Pune university's linguistic department, told TOI that since Marathi is the official language of the state, it is fine to use it for official communication. "However, English should also be used in addition. Many may not understand or read Marathi, hence an alternative language is necessary," he felt.

Source: Department heads issued stricter warnings on Marathi use: Kadam - The Times of India

 

[SaiyanGoku]

No words

 

[GhorMaanas]

nowhere is it mentioned that only Marathi has to be used for inter-communication; using only English is dissuaded, which is absolutely fine.

 

[Desmond]

nowhere is it mentioned that only Marathi has to be used for inter-communication; usage of just English is dissuaded, which is absolutely fine.

A Maharashtra government resolution (GR) issued on Wednesday stated that barring a few words, it was mandatory for all departments to have communication in Marathi.

Also:

Environment minister Ramdas Kadam told TOI on Wednesday, "It is true that the officers were using only English for communication. Several files from the department that were brought to me to be signed were only in English till a few days back. I have returned all those files."

Why be such a stickler?

 

[GhorMaanas]

that may not be correct on his part, or perhaps it was more like a call that 'enough was enough' and to set the tone straight, but still, its mandatory to use Marathi, but not mandatory to use only Marathi. what was happening was Marathi was being sidelined to communicate only in English, while the latter is to be used as a secondary language only as & when reqd. for communication.

 

[REDHOTIRON2004]

They think that marathi is understood by all?
No, what it actually means is that. Only native people from Maharashtra who know Marathi should be allowed in government departments. Marathi is such a niche language that baring a few. Most people from other states wont even have the slightest idea as to which language is written on the piece of paper let alone speaking or writing in Marathi.

 

[GhorMaanas]

that's not so true. people who know Marathi but are otherwise natives of any other state, or/and domiciled in Maharashtra, they also work in govt. deptts. of Maharashtra. however, i am of the opinion that notices issued for public should be bilingual.

 

[SaiyanGoku]

^ Multilingual with compulsory English and Hindi. Regional language(s) should be the 3rd option.

 

[GhorMaanas]

that's also a good option, but India being a Union of states crafted on linguistic lines (a blunder IMHO) and given the federal structure, it won't happen, or atleast won't happen anytime soon. but under the present system, for governmental inter-communication as well as with public, knowledge of regional language(s) & understanding-communicating in it would be a must for govt. officers & staff/public servants.