Bhubaneswar, April 5 – The Odisha government has warned business owners and shopkeepers about legal consequences if they fail to display Odia on their signboards. This move is part of a new campaign launched by the Labour and Employees State Insurance Department to ensure the use of Odia in commercial establishments across the state.
As part of the ongoing ‘Odia Pakhya’ (fortnight), which is being celebrated from April 1 (Utkal Dibasa) to April 14 (Odia New Year), the government has organized awareness rallies throughout Odisha to highlight the importance of using the regional language in public spaces.
Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, Minister of Labour and Employees State Insurance, Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, inaugurated one of these rallies in Bhubaneswar. He urged business owners to comply with the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act (1956), which mandates that signboards must be displayed in Odia.
The government has made it clear that failure to follow this regulation will result in legal action, including the imposition of fines. Singkhuntia highlighted that promoting the Odia language is key to preserving the state’s cultural identity and stressed the importance of using the language in everyday life.
The campaign aims to reinforce the state’s vision of enhancing Odia language and culture, encouraging all citizens and business owners to contribute to this important cause.