Administrative language not fully in Malayalam; 30% of files still in English language

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though six years have passed since Malayalam is made the administrative language, 30% of files at the Secretariat are still in English. In other offices, 99% of the files are now in Malayalam. 40% of files in the departments of Law, Finance, and Home in the Secretariat are in English. This was revealed during the review meeting of the Malayalam Language Day celebration.

The Chief Minister has called for a review meeting in December to discuss making administrative language fully in Malayalam.

The usual custom at the Secretariat is to write notes in Malayalam if the files are written in Malayalam and to write notes in English if the files are written in English. As the information in the files coming in English can be copied from the E-office those are not translated into Malayalam.

As many of the department heads are from outside the state the secretaries have ordered that the Malayalam notes must be translated into English. This has caused difficulties and a waste of time for the employees.

The government’s suggestion to prepare a government order both in English and Malayalam is not implemented.

The administrative language in courts from Munsiff to District Courts is still English. The Justice Narendra Committee had suggested translating important orders and notifications into Malayalam freely and distributed. The Committee’s suggestion to publish a law journal that includes verdicts of the High Court and Supreme Court is not implemented till now.