New Delhi: Though official rules dictate that central government offices must reply to Hindi communications in Hindi, many offices are flouting the rules.
According to RTI activist Harpal Rana, the Ministry of Home Affairs, which has the Language Department under it, is itself flouting the language rules by replying to Hindi letters in English.
According to Rule 5 of the Official Languages Rules, 1976, "Communications from a Central Government office in reply to communications in Hindi shall be in Hindi."
"September 14 is celebrated as Hindi Diwas to promote the language. But the reality is that letters from government departments are coming in English," he said.
"More importantly, the Home Ministry, which has the Language Department under it, is sending English replies to Hindi communications," he added.
According to rule 12 of the Official Languages Rules, 1976, the responsibility of the compliance of the above rules lies with the administrative head of each Central Government office.
According to the rules, if Hindi communications are replied to in Hindi, then action can be taken against the department as per Section 801 of the Code of Civil Procedures.
Even the Prime Minister's Office is not exempt from the rule, as action can be taken against it as well if it flouts the rules.
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