Punjab mulls language commission, ropes in writers, literary personalities

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 29

Punjab Higher Education and Languages Minister Pargat Singh on Saturday said the government would soon set up Punjab State Language Commission and Library Act.

Addressing an event organised by the Punjab Lok Manch and Punjab Jagriti Manch at Lyallpur Khalsa College here for the betterment of Punjabi language, the minister said the discussions had already been going on regarding the Library Act. On receiving draft of the said act from the office bearers of Punjab Lok Manch and Punjab Jagriti Manch, the minister apprised them that the state government was already taking suggestions from all stakeholders including writers, intellectuals, renowned literary personalities so that an effective act could be brought out besides incorporating significant views/suggestions from this draft.

Describing ‘education as the real development’, Pargat Singh mentioned that the development of the society, state and country depended upon the level of education being imparted to the youngsters. He said unified efforts were needed to further boost our mother tongue, education system and cultural significance.

Referring to the two crucial bills passed in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the minister said ‘Punjabi and Other Languages Education (Amendment) Bill, 2021’ and ‘Punjab State Language (Amendment) Bill-2021’ would safeguard the Punjabi language. He said these bills would ensure Punjabi as a compulsory subject for all students from Class I to X in schools across the state besides making it mandatory for officers/employees to conduct all official business in the Punjabi language. In case of any violation of these bills at any stage, a stipulated fine would be imposed, he added.

The organisers of the event also honoured the minister with the ‘Punjab Da Maan’ award for his exemplary steps to promote mother tongue. The minister also announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the Punjab Lok Manch-Punjab Jagriti Manch to carry forward the endeavours for Punjabi language. He also handed over cheque for Rs 1 lakh given to him by the organisers along with award and asked them to utilise this amount too for their ongoing initiatives.

World renowned Punjabi writer Surjit Patar, president, Punjab Jagriti Manch Satnam Manak also spoke on the occasion. Surjit Patar was honoured with ‘Apni Awaz Puraskar-2021’ while poetess Surinder Gill Jaipal was awarded with ‘Kav Lok Puraskar-2020’. District Language Officers of different districts were given away ‘Mat Bhasha Sewa Puraskar’.