It’s bi-monthly bills might continue to shock, but the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has some good news for the Kannadaspeaking people in Kasargod.
The KSEB consumers belonging to the Kannada linguistic minority in the district will soon be able to read electricity bills and other paperwork related to power supply in their mother tongue.
Turning language-friendly in Kasargod, a district that borders Karnataka, the KSEB has entrusted the Deputy Chief Engineer, Electrical Circle, Kasargod, with the job of getting spot bills, receipt books, monthly invoices and notices issued in Kannada.
An order in this regard was issued on June 28. Earlier, the Kannada Sahithya Parishath had requested the power utility that the bills should be issued in Kannada also.
Currently, all the KSEB notices are issued in Malayalam, but KSEB offices in Kasargod use English to reply to applicants belonging to the Kannada community, according to the KSEB order.
“The community there had given us a representation. But it will take some time. For example, we have to ascertain how many consumers are there. The deputy chief engineer has been asked to look into the matter,” Chief Engineer (Distribution- North) Abdul Khader M A said.
In Kasargod, the Kannada language has always been a touchy issue. The KSEB’s current decision is based on a 1961 Government Order making certain allowances for linguistic minorities.