Amit Shah, the Union Minister of Home Affairs, has been reelected as  the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language.

The committee consists of 30 members drawn from both houses of Parliament, i.e., 20 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 members from the Rajya Sabha.

About Parliamentary Committee on Official Language (India):

The Parliamentary Committee on Official Language was established under the Official Languages Act, 1963 to oversee and promote the usage of Hindi as the official language of the Union, while ensuring compliance with constitutional provisions regarding the use of other languages.

Functions of the Committee:

The primary functions of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language are:

1. Review of the Usage of Hindi:
   • The committee reviews the progress made in the use of Hindi in official work by the central government and its agencies.
   • It suggests measures to increase the use of Hindi while respecting the linguistic diversity of India.
2. Implementation of the Official Languages Act:
   • The committee monitors the implementation of the provisions of the Official Languages Act, 1963, and the Official Language Rules, 1976, in various central government offices and institutions.
3. Recommendations for Promoting Hindi:
   • It advises the government on steps to promote the use of Hindi in official communication.
   • Recommendations include strategies for increasing Hindi in administrative work, publications, and public relations.
4. Reports to the President:
   • The committee submits reports to the President of India with its recommendations on how to improve the use of Hindi in official work.
   • These reports are presented to both houses of Parliament for debate and discussion.
5. Balanced Linguistic Approach:
   • While promoting Hindi, the committee ensures that the rights of non-Hindi speaking states and their languages are protected, adhering to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, which recognizes 22 scheduled languages.

About Official Languages Act, 1963:

The Official Languages Act, 1963, was enacted to address the concerns arising from the use of English and Hindi as official languages in India, especially after the Constitution’s provisions for linguistic diversity and the need for a common language for central government communication.

Key Provisions

1. Official Languages of the Union:
   • The Act specifies that Hindi and English are the official languages of the Union of India.
   • English continues to be used for official communication and legislative purposes in central government matters.
2. Use of Hindi:
   • The Act encourages the use of Hindi for official purposes. However, the transition to Hindi was planned in a phased manner to ensure that it does not disrupt administrative functions.
3. Bilingualism:
   • Government documents, notices, and communications are to be published in both Hindi and English. For administrative convenience and to serve the public, various central government documents and communications are provided in both languages.
4. Language in Courts:
   • The Act allows for the use of Hindi or English in judicial proceedings and for official correspondence related to legal matters.
5. Language Committees:
   • The Act provides for the establishment of language committees to oversee and promote the use of Hindi in official functions and to address issues related to language implementation.
6. Review and Amendments:
   • The Act allows for periodic review and amendments to accommodate changes in language policy and administrative needs.