BENGALURU: Kannada Development Authority (KDA) after insisting banks, Public Sector Undertaking, Central government offices is now insisting Administrative Training Institute (ATI) that gives orientation and training to Babus in Kannada.
ATI located in Mysuru is an apex training institute working under State government conducts foundation course for Gazetted probationers of the State Civil Services, refresher courses for Senior Officers. Right from financial management to legal issues, computer application and many more courses are conducted on regular basis. At ATI, IAS, IPS and IFS posted to Karnataka Cadre from other States has to undergo four months Kannada crash course initially. This insitute will give training in English.
"We are not against English. In Karnataka, Kannada should be given priority. We can understand with IAS or IPS, but they give training in English to State government employees. We had convened a meeting with ATI authorities couple of days back and insisted them to use more Kannada at their institute,'' Kannada Development Authority Chairman S G Siddaramiah told The New Indian Express.
According to Siddaramiah, many first division assistant and second division assistant would also be trained here. "Even for them, training including materials will be in English. These officials would go work in taluka and panchayat level. How would English help them. That is why we are insisting Kannada compulsory for officials IAS to FDA in Kannada,'' he added.
A senior KAS officer on anonymity said sometimes they give training in Kannada as well as English. "But when it comes to power point presentation or other techinical, it will be English. Its better if Kannada is there. At lower level, Kannada is used more. For instance, at revenue department, many terms like Pahani, Patta, Khaata are used everyday at their offices. If training is given in English, it makes no sense for these officials in rural areas as they deal with localities only in Kannada. Its a welcome move,'' official said.
Another complaint is ATI website does not have in Kannada. Most of the government office website in Karnataka has website in dual language - Kannada and English. KDA also insisted to add kannada in ATI website.KDA also insisted ISEC to make Kannada inclusion in their day to day activities including website. ISEC authorities always claim they are cental government organisation. But in reality, State share is 61 per cent and Union government share is 39 per cent.
"We insist Kannada usage here,'' Siddaramiah said. He has met Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and sought his intervention. "CM has responded positively. He is expected to instruct these two organisation for the same,'' he said.