Odisha Govt To Impose Hefty Fine For Violators Of Mandatory Odia Signboard Rule

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has warned shops, business establishments and other outfits, violating the mandatory Odia signboard rule, of heavy penalties as a zero-tolerance policy is being adopted against the offenders.

The state government has stepped up the special drive, which was launched in May this year. The violator will be served a show-cause notice and a fine of Rs 5,000 imposed in the court of a judicial magistrate in the first instance. If the offender violates the rule for the second time, Rs 25000 fine will be imposed.

Sources said at least eight business establishments have been issued show-cause notices in Bhubaneswar. Similar notices have been issued to over 148 outfits in Khurda in the last two months.

While 61 establishments immediately changed their signboards and affixed Odia nameplates, cases were lodged against six institutions for violating the rule despite several notices.

It was found that implementation of the Odia signboard norm has not been satisfactory so far despite several meetings with the stakeholders and reminders, according to Director of Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, Dilip Routray. The special drive has been intensified to enforce the rule and the move is expected to yield good result, he said.

It may be recalled that the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, 1956, was amended, making Odia language mandatory on signboards of all shops and commercial establishments in the state in May, 2018.

However, a large number of registered shops and commercial establishments are yet to do put up Odia signboards.