The Karnataka government could make it compulsory for bank employees to engage with customers in Kannada only which is the the official language of the state.
To support rural people who know only Kannada
It is likely to put out a notification in the next couple of days, Kannada Development Authority (KDA) secretary Santhosh Hangal said.
This comes after a long standing demand from a section of people who said that many coming from villages were facing problems while dealing with bank officials who did not know the local language.
Kannada knowledge in government offices
In March a bill – Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Bill, 2022 – was passed which was aimed to promote Kannada in government offices.
One of the objectives was to promote the Kannada language in government offices.
“Knowledge of Kannada language to be essential for employment in the state government, local authorities, boards, corporations and in statutory or non-statutory bodies,” the bill said.
Those seeking employment in the state government or any local authorities, boards, corporations, statutory or non-statutory bodies or registered co-operative societies and other societies in the state must pass “Kannada language examination“.
Kannada Cell in banks
It also stated that banks with more than a hundred employees have to set up a ‘Kannada Cell’ headed by senior employees who know Kannada for the purpose of use of the language in day-to-day work functions.
Banks will also have to establish ‘Kannada Kalika Ghataka’ (basic Kannada Teaching Unit) for non-Kannada speaking employees.
The government would provide necessary teaching staff and study materials at their cost.
‘Learn or leave’
On a related note, in August 2017, the KDA passed an order where it instructed non-Kannadiga employees working in government and rural banks to learn Kannada in six months or leave their jobs.
The then-KDA chairman said that it was important for the banks to follow a three-language formula in all advertisements – Hindi, English, and Kannada.
Protecting the language
In July of that year, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanded that people from outside the state adapt to the Kannada culture.
“We will not tolerate any attack on our language, land, and water. Protecting Kannada land and Kannada people is our responsibility,” he had said.
