Existing letterheads, forms can be corrected with ink; ‘Keralam’ name change to be implemented without additional expenditure

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Chief Secretary has directed that the change in the state’s name to ‘Keralam’ be implemented without causing any additional financial burden or wasteful expenditure. In a circular issued to heads of departments, the Chief Secretary said existing letterheads, envelopes, forms and registers need only be corrected with ink. Existing stock should not be discarded and new materials should not be printed, the circular said.

All government-controlled institutions, including departments, public sector undertakings, boards, corporations and local self-government institutions, have been directed to change the name to ‘Keralam’ on name boards and printed documents.

Official seals, rubber stamps and similar instruments bearing ‘Kerala’ may continue to be used until there is a need to replace them. Where necessary and practical, corrections may be made using ink. There is no need to prepare new seals, the circular said.

Existing signboards, office name boards, milestones, direction boards and other boards need not be replaced. Where technically possible, the letter ‘m’ should be added to ‘Kerala’ in English and the corresponding Malayalam ‘ം’ sign should be added to ‘കേരള’ to make it ‘കേരളം’.

Furniture, vehicles, equipment, stationery, publications and government property need not be replaced before the end of their existing service or useful life. Changes to such items may be made before that only in administratively unavoidable circumstances and with specific permission from the competent authority.

‘Keralam’ to be used hereafter

All future printing work and boards should use ‘Keralam’, the circular said. If anyone replaces materials in violation of these directions, the expenditure incurred on such replacement should not be sanctioned. The change in the state’s name should be implemented in phases, the Chief Secretary directed.