Chandigarh, Oct 13 (PTI) The SAD has urged Uniontransport minister Nitin Gadkari to ensure the primacy ofPunjabi language on signboards on national highways in thestate, saying the people of Punjab were "hurt" by the "currenttreatment".
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badalwrote to Gadkari, saying it was unfortunate that Punjabi wasnot given primacy on signboards on national highways in thestate.
"I request you to give requisite directions to correctthis anomaly immediately," Badal wrote to Gadkari.
He said the "current treatment" meted out to Punjabi onsignboards "had not only hurt the sentiments of the people"but was also "causing inconvenience".
"Punjabis will be more comfortable with signages inPunjabi on all signboards as they constitute a majority ofcommuters on state roads," the former chief minister said.
Stating that due respect be accorded to Punjabi, Badalsaid: "We are not against any language but feel the sentimentsof Punjabis should also be accorded due respect".
He said that all signboards on national highways shouldhave signs in Punjabi, Hindi and English in descending order.
The Akali Dal leader pointed out that the PunjabOfficial Language Act, 1963, stipulates that Punjabi should bewritten on top on all official signboards.
He said all signboards of the National Highway Authorityshould be in consonance with the Act.
Sukhbir Badal expressed confidence that the Union surfacetransport ministry would look into the issue. PTI SUNABH.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.