[Lgpolicy-list] [lg policy] Maharashtra: Panel ‘demands’ proper Marathi

[Harold Schiffman]

 Panel ‘demands’ proper Marathi

<http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/panel-demands-proper-marathi/article6594870.ece?homepage=true#comments>
      inShare

 Promotions and raises of government servants are to be stringently linked
to the `usage of correct' Marathi in offices and establishments.

Civil servants and personnel in government and educational establishments
across Maharashtra could end up paying a price for unintended or intended
moves that undermine Marathi language if the recommendations of a committee
set up by the former Congress-NCP government are accepted.

 The Congress-NCP government had first constituted a committee on Marathi
language policy in June 2010. However, the government chose to set up a new
one February 2013 through a gazettee notification.

The mandate of the committee was to make recommendations to preserve and
promote Marathi in educational establishments as well as other government
agencies.

The draft, put up on the State government’s website (www.maharashtra.gov.in)
<https://www.maharashtra.gov.in/1125/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%96%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A0>,
is open for public feedback until December 15.

According to the recommendations of a 66-page draft on the Marathi language
policy for the next 25 years, promotions and raises of government servants
are to be stringently linked to the `usage of correct' Marathi in offices
and establishments.

 Career advancements of individuals are to be stopped, while establishments
are to have their grants and privileges withheld if Marathi is not used at
all by a person or establishment or incorrectly.

 It further recommends appointment of special officers to monitor that
“correct” Marathi is always spoken on television channels.

 It does not stop at that. A gradual ‘Marathification’ of the State is a
long-term aim.

 According to the document, there must be 50 per cent reservation for
Marathi-speaking people in multinational companies (MNCs). Quotas also cast
a shadow in the Arts, as the document suggests that 30 per cent of a film
crew along with technicians be Marathi-speaking people else a particular
cinema cannot avail of tax benefits.

 The document, drawn up by a 30-member advisory committee and headed by
educationist and writer Nagnath Kotapalle, has a lofty aim of not only
conserving, but also promulgating the language globally.

 “Few government and judicial bodies use Marathi in the course of their
day-to-day functioning. It is generally absent in financial and industrial
bodies. It is unfortunate that despite Marathi being the State language for
over five decades, not a single Marathi medium university has come up in
Maharashtra,” said Mr. Kotapalle.

 Mr. Kotapalle, recently elected as president of 86th Akhil Bharatiya
Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, is known as a zealous crusader for the
conservation of the language.

 According to him, all recommendations made in the draft policy were
“eminently viable” and designed in such a way so as to permit its practical
implementation.

 “The purpose is to instil a sense of pride in the Marathi language. This
in turn will facilitate make the conservation and promotion of Marathi,” he
said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/panel-demands-proper-marathi/article6594870.ece?homepage=true
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