Guwahati, Assam: In a landmark decision taking effect today, the Assam Government has officially implemented Assamese as the compulsory language for all governmental notifications, orders, rules, and communications throughout the state. The directive, announced by the Political (B) Department under the Assam Official Language Act, 1960, signifies a strong push towards bolstering the linguistic identity of Assam.
The new regulation necessitates that all official communications emanating from the state government, encompassing Acts, Rules, transfer orders, and scheme guidelines, will be issued bilingually in both English and Assamese. This dual-language approach aims to ensure accessibility and clarity in governance.
Acknowledging the diverse linguistic landscape of the state, the government has incorporated specific provisions for certain regions. In the Barak Valley districts, Bengali will be used alongside English for official communications, while in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Bodo will be used in conjunction with English.
Furthermore, the directive mandates the translation of all central government notifications received by state departments into Assamese, Bodo, or Bengali, depending on the region, within a 30-day timeframe. This measure aims to ensure that information from the central government is readily understandable to a wider segment of the population.
Existing legacy documents, including current Acts and Rules, are slated for a phased translation process over the next two years. University language departments will be enlisted to assist in this significant undertaking. The government has also recommended the use of the Anuvaad Bhashini App as an initial translation tool, with the crucial caveat that officials must conduct thorough manual reviews to guarantee accuracy.
The newly implemented policy clarifies that English will continue to serve as the language for inter-state and central government communication, legal documents, court proceedings, and official interpretations. Moreover, in the event of any legal ambiguity or dispute, the English version of official documents will hold precedence.
This comprehensive linguistic policy, taking effect on the auspicious occasion of the Assamese New Year, underscores the Assam Government’s dedication to preserving and promoting its official and indigenous languages while simultaneously ensuring inclusivity for the state’s various linguistic communities.