Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has returned an ordinance, proposed by the state government, which aimed to enforce a requirement of 60% usage of Kannada in signboards for businesses and establishments. The revelation came from Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday.
"We (the government) approved an ordinance on signboards. The Governor has sent it back saying it should be passed in the Assembly. He could have given his assent now. Giving protection and respect to Kannada is our government’s commitment," Shivakumar stated.
The Karnataka Cabinet had initially approved an ordinance on January 5 to amend the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, making it mandatory for businesses to use 60% Kannada in their signages. This decision was a response to violent protests by pro-Kannada organizations targeting businesses in Bengaluru for not giving sufficient prominence to the Kannada language.
Currently, the law mandates the use of Kannada in the upper-half portion of business signboards displaying the names of establishments. The government's decision to resort to an ordinance was aimed at expediting the implementation of this amendment.
The Karnataka Legislature's Budget session is scheduled to be held from February 12 to 23. Speculations suggest that the Governor may have sent the ordinance back, considering the proximity of the legislative session.
(With Agency Inputs)
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