(a) whether the Gujarat High Court has recently made any observation regarding the status of Hindi as National Language of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to accord Hindi its rightful status as provided in the Indian Constitution?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY MAKEN)
(a): Yes, Madam.
(b): The Gujarat High Court has made an observation in a public interest litigation that
there has neither been made any provision nor has any order been issued in order to declare
Hindi as a National Language of the Country. The Department of Official Language agrees with
the observation of the Gujarat High Court.
(c): Hindi is the official language of the Union under Article 343 of the Constitution
of India. According to the provisions made under Article 344(4) of the constitution,
President`s orders were issued on various points relating to development and propagating
the Official Language Hindi on 27-04-1960 after the inspections carried out by the 30 member
committee of Parliament on Official Language constituted to consider the recommendations of
the Official Language Commission. Official Languages Act, 1963 was framed for the official
purposes of the Union, for transaction of business in Parliament, for Central and State
Acts and for certain purposes in High Courts. To speed up the expansion and development
of Hindi, Official Language Resolution, 1968 was passed by the both Houses of the Parliament.
For the smooth implementation of the provisions made in the Official Language Act, 1963,
Official Language Rules were framed in 1976. After declaring Hindi as the Official Language
of the Union, following Committees have been constituted to increase the use of Hindi
extensively in the official work of the Government:
1. The Committee of Parliament on Official Language.
2. Kendriya Hindi Samiti under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
3. Hindi Salahakar Samiti in every Ministry/Department under the Chairmanship
of respective Minister.
4. Central Official Language Implementaton Committee under the Chairmanship of
Secretary, Department of Official Language.
5. Departmental Official Language Implementation Committee in every Ministry/
Department under the Chairmanship of the Joint Secretary concerned.
6. Town Official Language Implementation Committees in various major towns
of the country.
Besides this, administrative orders are issued from time to time by the Department of
Official Language for the implementation of the Official Language policy. The Department
of Official Language monitors the implementation of the Official Language policy on the
basis of the Quarterly Progress Reports received from all the Ministries/Departments and
for this purpose an Annual Programme and Annual Assessment Report is prepared every year.