Sub-panel on official languages to inspect use of Hindi in central govt offices in J&K

Srinagar: A sub-committee of the parliamentary panel on official languages is expected to visit Jammu & Kashmir next week to inspect the use of Hindi in central government offices in the Union Territory.

The panel comprising MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is expected to arrive in J&K on July 14 and would inspect government offices both at Srinagar and Jammu before returning to New Delhi, sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

The committee, mandated to review the progress made in the use of Hindi for the official purpose of the Union, has been set-up under “The Official Language Act”-1963.

The two provisions of the “The Official Languages Act” were not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir before August 5, 2019 when the Central government read down Article 370 and reorganised J&K into two Union Territories. Both these provisions were made applicable to J&K UT from March 18, 2020 via Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (adaptation of central laws) Order, 2020.

The modifications in the law were made by invoking powers vested with the central government under section 96 of Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act.

Under “The Official Languages Act”-1963, the committee was to be constituted after ten years of the promulgation of the Act. It was set- up for the first time in 1976.

The committee is mandated to review the progress made in the use of Hindi for the official purposes of the Union and submit a report to the President with recommendations—(KNO)