Use of Hindi in the Ministry of Science & Technology

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2596

USE OF HINDI

2596 . Shri JAGADA NAND SINGH

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether negligible work is being done in the national language Hindi in the Ministry of Science and Technology; 

(b) if so, the details thereof; 

(c) whether Hindi speaking people are deprived of information on new scientific inventions and new technologies; 

(d) if so, the steps being taken by the Ministry in this regard; and 

(e) the schemes being formulated by the Ministry for doing work in Hindi alongwith English?

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (S. JAIPAL REDDY) 

(a) & (b): No, Madam. Reasonable percentage of work is being done in Hindi. 

(c) & (d): No Madam. Feasible efforts are being made to extend information on new scientific inventions and new technologies for the benefit the Hindi speaking people. 

(e) The Ministry of Science and Technology continues to make progressive use of Hindi in official work as per the Annual Programme issued by the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Official Language Policy of the Union. In pursuance of the official language policy of the Government of India, all documents covered under section 3(3) of the Official Language Act, 1963 are being issued both in English and Hindi and sub-rule(5) of Official Languages Rules, 1976 is being complied cent per cent by replying in Hindi to all the letters received in Hindi. In order to ensure issuance of correspondence in Hindi to Central Government Offices located in Region ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’, purchase of valuable Hindi books, training in Hindi, inspection of field offices, and translation of manual/forms are being done as per the targets set in the Annual Programme. For the use of Hindi action plan based on the checkpoints identified in the Ministry has been prepared to ensure compliance of the official language policy. Annual Programme and other orders/ instructions issued by the Department of Official Language are forwarded to all Subordinate/Attached Offices/ Autonomous Organizations for compliance. In order to encourage the use of Hindi in official work amongst officers/employees of the Department, Hindi fortnight is organized in the Department each year in the month of September. During the pakhwara many competitions are organized and successful participants are awarded with Cash Prizes and Certificates. To monitor implementation of Official Language Policy more effectively quarterly meetings of Official Language implementation committee are being held regularly in the Ministry. 

Science communication & popularization programmes are being organized throughout the country in Hindi as well as regional languages. Radio serials through AIR are developed, produced & broadcast in Hindi. Books titled “Bharat mei Samudri Bhu Vigyan ka Itihas” and “Sab tak pahuchnna hai” and Hindi journals like “Vigyan Pragati” “Aavishkar” and “Dream 2047” have helped in bringing knowledge and updates regarding scientific activities happening throughout the world to Hindi speaking people.