BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Mohan Majhi on Thursday asked officials to present all files before him in Odia language and also pledged to implement various measures aimed at promoting and preserving Odia Asmita (self-respect).
Shortly after moving into his new office on the third floor of Lok Seva Bhawan, Majhi said, “Importance will be given to promotion, preservation and propagation of Odia Asmita (self-respect).”
BJP had made Odia pride a central issue in the recent elections, criticizing the Naveen Patnaik govt for being controlled by a small group of non-Odia officials.
Since taking the oath on June 12, Majhi had been temporarily working from the State Guesthouse. As he relocated to his permanent office, which had undergone extensive renovations following the departure of former CM Naveen Patnaik.
Majhi received a warm welcome from bureaucrats and his fellow colleagues. Priests chanted hymns to mark his entry into the new office.
Majhi said while administrative work will completely switch over to Odia language, the Odisha Official Language Act, 1954, will be implemented in letter and spirit.
If needed, the Act will be amended to ensure wider use of Odia. “Apart from the state’s physical and materialistic development, priority will also be given to the cultural progress of Odisha,” Majhi said.
The CM said steps will be taken to increase the efficiency of Odisha Sahitya Akademi, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi and Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi and Odissi Research Centre.
The CM announced plans to establish a new translation academy to translate Odia language into other languages and vice versa to promote Odia literature. ‘Asmita Bhawan,’ a new building to dedicated to Odia language, will be established, Majhi said.
The CM also announced the formation of a language commission and expansion of Odia Bhasa Pratisthan.