The State Official Language Commission has asked the state government to bring pressure on the Centre for making Telugu the second official language of the country.
The recommendation was made by the commission in a mid-term report submitted by its chairman Mandali Buddha Prasad to chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy in his chamber at the Secretariat here on Friday.
According to the commission, Telugu is spoken by the most number of people in the country after Hindi, the national language. Hence the justification for the demand for making Telugu the second official language of the country.
In view of the large number of Telugu-speaking people living in Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Karnataka, Telugu should be made the second official language of those states. Moreover, pressure should be brought for introduction of Telugu as third language of study in schools in northern states, the commission said and wanted the central government to treat the official languages of states on a par with the national language.
The report made certain suggestions for improvement of Telugu which was made the state’s official language 47 years ago. Pointing out that lack of monitoring and implementation of programmes pertaining to official language during the gap between the conclusion of the term of one commission and the appointment of another, it was suggested that the principal secretary looking after the affairs of official language be made the vice-chairman of the commission. It was also suggested that the deputy secretary (GAD) be made the secretary of the commission.
The report also mentioned lack of rules though the Official Language Act had come into force 47 years ago and asked the government to direct the law department to frame rules in accordance with the Act. It said implementation of the official language should remain on government’s agenda and be monitored continuously.
Other suggestions include making knowledge of Telugu typing mandatory for computer operators and one of the qualifications for appointment, creation of government websties in Telugu, training stenographers in government offices, especially courts, in Telugu shorthand, conducting training programmes in Telugu for government employees from time to time, effective implementation of Urdu as the second official language, setting up of a translation centre, creation of a Telugu word repository, publishing good Telugu books for development of the language, disciplinary action for non-use of the official language properly, holding competitive examinations in Telugu, education and legal administration including delivery of judgments in official language.