Odisha government issues show-cause notices to 1,606 commercial establishments for failing to display names in Odia language | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: The labour and ESI department issued show-cause notices to 1,606 commercial establishments across the state for not displaying their outlet’s names in the Odia language, said labour minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia in a written reply in the state assembly on Tuesday.Responding to various queries raised by separate legislators, Singhkhuntia said the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act was amended in 2018, making it mandatory for outlets to display their signboards in Odia. Accordingly, it was also made mandatory to issue letters and other documents for govt work in Odia.“As per the amended Act, an enforcement drive was carried out at the district level, and action was taken against those found violating the Act. It is being ensured that every shop and commercial establishment must display their outlet’s names in Odia clearly,” Singhkhuntia mentioned in his reply.The minister further stated that so far, as many as 2,852 commercial establishments were inspected, out of which 1,606 of them were show-caused for violating the Act. “Out of the 1,606 violators, cases have been initiated against 100 owners for repeating the violations,” the minister added.According to the minister, a highest of 237 show-cause notices were served in Jharsuguda district, followed by 201 in Khurda. In Balasore, 192 show-cause notices were served, while in Ganjam 168 notices were served on the violators. As many as 38 legal cases have been initiated in Khurda district followed by 37 cases in Jajpur district.Singhkhuntia also said that to promote the practice of displaying names in Odia, an Odia Fortnight was observed from April 1 to 15, under which a special drive called the “Signboards in Odia Language” campaign was launched. The Labour and ESI department has organised rallies to raise awareness on the issue.“If anyone is found in violation under the Act, a fine of Rs 1,000 is being imposed on first-time violators, up to Rs 5,000 on the second-time violators, up to Rs 25,000 on the third timers, and legal cases have been initiated against the repeated offenders along with a fine,” the labour minister said.
