KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Minister for Finance, Culture and Labour & Employment, Dr Haseeb A Drabu Monday said that the Government is committed to encourage use of Urdu language in Government offices.
He said Urdu is being used extensively in Revenue, Police Administration and Subordinate Judiciary.
The Minister was replying to a resolution moved by Showkat Hussain Ganie on behalf of Dr Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri recommending the House to restore the due status of Urdu as provided in the Constitution of J&K, an official spokesperson said this evening.
The resolution was withdrawn by Ganie after discussion and satisfactory reply by the Government.
Dr Drabu said that under section 145 of the Constitution of J&K, Urdu is the official language, but the English language shall continue to be used for all official purposes of the State unless the legislature by law otherwise provides.
He informed the House that Government has issued instructions to the Government Departments to indicate the name of all offices in Urdu along with English language and further to indicate the names of Public Places, Streets, and Historical places in Urdu along with other language.
He said that the Public Service Commission conducts various Departmental Examinations for the Departments like Revenue Service, Executive and Excise and Taxation, wherein the candidates can write their papers either in English or in Urdu.
He added that in KCS (Judicial) some portion of a paper contains translations from English to Urdu or vice-versa, and for Combined Competitive Examination (KAS), there is one optional paper in Urdu. Besides, it is mandatory for KAS and IAS probationers to pass Urdu paper in the Departmental Examinations prescribed for them, he said.
The Minister clarified that in cases, where knowledge of Urdu is compulsory as a part of prescribed qualification like that of Patwari, a written test in “Urdu” is conducted and the candidates are required to qualify the written test with at least 33% marks. He said that the candidates who do not qualify the Urdu test are declared unsuccessful and are not considered for final merit and selection list.
He further informed the House that Government is considering the recommendation provided by a High Level Committee, headed by Chief Secretary to look into promotion of Urdu and ways and means of over-coming the shortage of Urdu, Dogri, Kashmiri language teachers in Government Schools, particularly the possibility of appointing subjects specific teachers either in Education Department, and setting up of Urdu Academy at Jammu and Srinagar.
Speaking during the discussion on the resolution, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas said he supports the intent of resolution. He said a comprehensive bill should be brought by the Government.
Sajjad Kichloo said that he supports the resolution and said that Urdu should be made mandatory, besides, asking for Urdu Academy and Urdu University.
Ramesh Arora said that Government should try to inculcate Urdu language from the basics in schools.
Vibod Gupta said that it is unfortunate to affiliate religion with a language and said that Government should implement use of Urdu as well as Hindi language in the State.
Jugal Kishore said that Government should make a formula for implementing Urdu language in letter and spirit in the State.
Surider Choudhary urged for creation of posts and teach the language at primary level.
Meanwhile, Dr Drabu has said that the Government is constitutionally bound to promote and develop regional languages which are included in the 6thSchedule of Constitution of the State.
He was replying to a resolution moved by Zaffar Iqbal Manhas for including Purgi language in the State Constitution. The resolution was withdrawn after satisfactory reply by the Government.
Dr Drabu said that inclusion of Purgi language in the 6th Schedule requires amendments in the State Constitution to be done from either House of the State legislature.
He said that the Central Committee of J&KAACL headed by Chief Minister can adopt Purgi language for its promotion and Development. He added that the matter can be taken up in the next meeting of the Central Committee of the Academy, which is presently in the process of re-formation and re-constitution.
Sajjad Kitchloo said that there are many areas in Wadwan in Kishtwar where many villages have settlements of people from Kargil who speak the language.
