Signboards in Odia: Odisha govt lacks intent, alleges Opposition

Politics is now active in Odisha a day after the state government issued a fresh notification making display of signboards in Odia mandatory with provision of heavy penalty on violations.

As per the notification, the offender will be fined Rs 5,000 for the first offence and a fine of Rs 25,000 will be imposed in case of repeat violation. However, the Opposition parties have now slammed the Odisha government over the fresh notification.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that the Odisha government lacks commitment. The party stated that so far there has been no urgency at the administrative level for strict implementation of the Odia signboard norm in the state. Only stern action can ensure smooth implementation of this rule in the state, BJP leaders said.

“Odisha government lacks intent. The notification issued yesterday is the same which was released in the past several times. There is no need of fresh notification if the norm is enforced strictly by the administrative officials,” said Dilip Mallick, State BJP Spokesperson.

Congress MLA, Suresh Routray said, “Since 2014-15, Odisha CM is boasting about Odia, but can he himself speak in Odia?”

Routray too stated that there is lack of intent on part of the state government for the implementation of the signboards in Odia.

BJD MLA, Prafulla Samal said, “Stern action needs to be taken against those who will flout the government directive. Be it educational institutions or commercial units, action will be taken against them.”