'Official Language Act implementation marred by CM's lack of interest'

Bhubaneswar: Coming down heavily on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for not implementing the Official Language Act of 1954 in the State, former MP Baishnab Charan Parida said the law has not come into force due to the CM's lack of interest.

Speaking to OTV during the ‘Khola Katha’ programme, Parida pointed out, “The Chief Minister has to implement the Odia Language Act. Though he always says law will take its own course, it is not understood what stops him from implementing the act.”

Moreover, Patnaik is ruling the state and has been winning votes, but he is not a leader of hearts, Parida stated.

“When someone does not know the language, culture and literature of a race, how can he be called a leader,” Parida added.

“If the language act is implemented, he would be forced to give remarks on files in Odia. However, he does not know the language,” the former MP said.

As CM does not know the language, bureaucrats at higher positions do not want Odia to be the official language, he said.