Government Mandates Odia for All Official Work

BHUBANESWAR: In a major move to strengthen linguistic identity and improve governance accessibility, the Odisha government has issued a strict directive mandating the use of Odia for all official work across state government offices. The order, issued by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department, requires all tiers of administration—from state-level departments to block offices—to conduct business exclusively in the state’s native language.

The new mandate covers a wide range of administrative activities, including the preparation of files, correspondence, notices, circulars, and official records. It extends beyond core government departments to include municipal bodies, state-run corporations, autonomous institutions, and other organizations under the state’s jurisdiction. The primary objective is to bridge the communication gap between the administration and the public, particularly for citizens in rural and semi-urban areas who primarily speak and understand Odia.

To ensure the order is taken seriously, the government has warned of disciplinary action against officials who fail to comply. According to the notification, persistent violations could result in show-cause notices and further administrative penalties. The Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department has been tasked with providing the necessary logistical support, including standardized formats and language resources, to help officials transition smoothly into a full Odia-based workflow.

While the Odisha Official Language Act has long been in place, the consistency of its application in official documentation has historically been uneven. Officials believe this renewed push will enhance transparency and accountability by making government processes more inclusive. This decision aligns Odisha with a growing national trend of states prioritizing regional languages to ensure that governance is citizen-friendly and rooted in local culture.