UDUPI, 23 JULY

Kannada Development Authority (KDA) chairman Purushothama Bilimale on Wednesday urged officials to issue tenders, notifications, and work orders related to public infrastructure projects in Kannada.

He said this while speaking at a review meeting on Kannada implementation at the Udupi deputy commissioner's office.

Bilimale said,"Kannada has a heritage spanning over 2,000 years" and asked officials to show greater sensitivity in upholding the legacy of the language.”

He warned that officials who fail to implement Kannada in administration will be held directly accountable.

Issuing tenders, notifications, and work orders related to public infrastructure projects in Kannada would not only empower local Kannada-speaking contractors but also generate employment for local youth.

Bilimale further urged banks to appoint Kannada-speaking personnel at branches to ensure that locals can conduct routine banking with ease. He directed that a meeting of major banks in the district be convened to discuss this.

In the meeting, Udupi deputy commissioner, Swaroop TK, assured that Kannada was being appropriately used in the district administration and that the language's implementation would be prioritised in all upcoming Karnataka Development Programme meetings.