Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has introduced a new rule mandating the use of Odia for all official work carried out by government departments and public offices across the state. The directive covers official files, notices, circulars, letters, and internal communication at the state, district, and local levels.
According to the government, the order applies strictly to government departments, offices, and officials, and does not extend to the general public. Citizens are not required to speak or use Odia in their daily lives, private businesses, shops, or personal communication.
Officials who fail to comply with the directive may face warnings or departmental disciplinary action, as per service rules. The government has clarified that the rule does not involve criminal penalties or imprisonment.
The move is aimed at strengthening the use of Odia as the state’s official language and making governance more accessible and transparent, particularly for Odia-speaking citizens in rural and semi-urban areas. By ensuring that official communication is conducted in Odia, the government hopes to reduce language barriers and improve public understanding of government decisions, schemes, and services.
The decision aligns with long-standing demands from language and cultural organisations that have advocated greater use of Odia in administration. Officials said necessary steps would be taken to support implementation, including capacity building and language support for government employees where required.
The government reiterated that the policy respects linguistic diversity while reinforcing the constitutional status of Odia as the official language of Odisha.
