The Hindu                                                                     
                                                                     
 Bangalore, Jan 3: The Government will observe 2009 as “Kannada Implementation Year” and take steps to implement Kannada in its administration barring its official business matters with the other States, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has said.

Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, YEddyurappa said that the Government would direct the department heads to ensure the implementation of Kannada effectively without violating the language policy of the State.

Many committees had submitted comprehensive reports on the problems being faced by the 52 taluks in the border districts on the language, education and other major fronts over decades. Implementation of 40 vital recommendations made by the MLC Mukhyamantri Chandru, who is now Chairman of Kannada Development Authority, had become imperative.

The Government would launch development works in all the 52 taluks referred to in the reports on priority, Yeddyurappa said.

The Government would construct Gadi Bhavans in all 175 taluks within four years and Kannada Bhavans in the 52 taluks for creating Kannada ambience and prevent the motivating influences of other languages, he added.

The Government had issued orders in 2000 on displaying Kannada alphabet and numerals on the number plates of all Government vehicles along with English alphabet and numerals compulsorily.

But it had not been enforced effectively. The Government had now instructed all those concerned to implement the order effectively, he said.

On the issue of displaying signboards in Kannada with due prominence along with English and any other Indian language, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that the Government would impose a penalty up to Rs. 10,000 on those who fail to comply with the order from Friday (January 2, 2009).

The Government would be forced to cancel the licenses of those private offices, establishments, industries and commercial units and any other outlets that failed to comply with its orders, he warned.

Asserting that the “Government is committed for the cause of Kannada and its implementation” in its administration, the Chief Minister said that his Government would take steps against those concerned if there was any violation in the implementation of the language.

Yeddyurappa released a handbook, posters and stickers for promoting the implementation of Kannada in the administration and public life.