Bhubaneswar: To promote and preserve the linguistic heritage of Odisha, Housing & Urban Development on Wednesday issued a directive, mandating the use of Odia script on signboards of all shops and commercial establishments under the jurisdiction of Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Notified Area Councils.
This order aligns with the state government’s commitment to uphold Odia language in public spaces and make signage more accessible to citizens, especially those unfamiliar with other languages or scripts, an official release said.
Urban local bodies have been directed to verify compliance by September 30 during trade licence renewals and inspections. “Non-compliant establishments will receive a formal notice and will be given 55 days to rectify the signage. A penalty of Rs 500 per day will be imposed on continued non-compliance beyond the grace,” it further stated.
The urban bodies have also been instructed to conduct awareness drives to inform shopkeepers about the new norms and extend necessary support for implementation.
Key features of the directive are as follows:
>> All shops and commercial establishments must ensure that Odia script occupies at least 60% of the total area of their signboards. This will help reinforce the visibility and importance of the state’s official language.
>> To encourage adherence, compliant establishments will be eligible for a 5% discount on the renewal fee of their trade licence, which can be availed through the SUJOG or Bhubaneswar.me portals.
