(a) whether the Central Government has received a proposal from the Government of West Bengal to change the name of Calcutta to Kolkata;
(b) if so, the action taken by the Government in the matter; and
(c) whether similar steps were taken by the Government when the names of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra were proposed to be changed ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI I.D.SWAMI)
(a): Yes,Sir.
(b): The matter is under active consideration of the Government of India.
(c): No, Sir. Article 3 of the Constitution of India provides, inter alia, that Parliament may, by law, alter the name of any State. Enactment of a law is not required for changing the name of a village/town, etc. Certain executive instructions have been issued by the Government of India in connection with this matter.