The Punjab Language Department has taken formal action against the state's Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development for a significant oversight. The latter failed to provide a Punjabi translation of the Punjab Divyangjan Empowerment Scheme, 2021 notification, a clear violation of the Punjab State Language Act.
RTI Query Exposes Critical Omission
The lapse came to light following a complaint by Patiala resident Kiran Kumari. She discovered that the crucial 19-page notification for the welfare scheme was neither available in Punjabi nor uploaded in the regional language on the department's official website. Upon filing an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, she was officially informed that no Punjabi version existed.
This omission is particularly glaring given the scheme's direct relevance to an estimated 6.5 lakh persons with disabilities in Punjab. This figure constitutes about 2.14 per cent of the state's population, as per the 2011 Census. The Divyangjan Empowerment Scheme is designed to provide various facilities, rights, and welfare measures for this significant section of society.
Language Act Violation and Potential Penalties
Kiran Kumari emphasized the importance of accessibility. "For a welfare scheme meant for the needy and vulnerable sections, availability in the regional language is essential. The Supreme Court has also issued clear directives that such policies and schemes must be accessible in local languages," she stated.
Jaswant Singh Jafar, director of the Punjab Language Department, confirmed the department's authority in this matter. He explained that under the Punjab State Language Act, they have the power to impose penalties on departments that violate language norms. "If instructions are ignored repeatedly, the Act empowers us to impose fines on the concerned department," Jafar warned.
Activists Decry Continued Neglect of Punjabi
The incident has sparked frustration among language advocates. Activists Vijay Walia and Gurmeet Singh, who have long campaigned for Punjabi translations of central and state laws, expressed their resentment over the continued neglect.
"It is deeply unfortunate that even decades-old laws and important welfare schemes are still not available in Punjabi. This denies workers and citizens their right to information," they said. This case has reignited a broader debate about the government's commitment to implementing the Punjab State Language Act in both letter and spirit.
Activists are now demanding stricter enforcement mechanisms to ensure the consistent use of Punjabi in all official governance and public communication, arguing that such access is a fundamental right for the people of Punjab.
