Official Language

13.1 There is a separate Hindi Section in the Department headed by a Deputy Director which oversees the implementation of the Official Language Policy of the Government of India in the Department and its attached offices as well as in the public sector undertaking and cooperative societies under its administrative control. An Official Language Implementation Committee is functioning in the Department and is headed by Joint Secretary (Administration). This committee reviews at regular intervals the overall progress in use of Hindi in the Department and its Public Sector Undertakings/ Cooperatives. It gives appropriate suggestions and recommends steps to be taken for the effective implementation of the Official Language Policy.

13.2 During the year under report, as envisaged under Section 3(3) of the Official Language Act cent-percent general orders, notifications, resolutions, agreements, rules, administrative and other reports, press communiques etc. were issued bilingually. More than 80 percent of the employees of the Department have working knowledge of Hindi and the Department is notified under the Rule 10(4) of the OL Rules 1976. An order was issued under Rule 8(4) of OL Rules directing 47 officers and 134 employees proficient in Hindi to do almost all the work in Hindi.

13.3 All Officers/Employees of the Department have taken training in Hindi under Hindi Teaching Scheme.

13.4 There are 27 bilingual Electronic Typewriters in the Department. In addition, 67 PCs and 80 computer terminals have bilingual facilities in the Department. All Stenographers and typists except two stenographers and two typists of the Department have taken training in Hindi Stenography/Typing.

13.5 A Hindi fortnight was organised in the Department from 14.9.2660 to 30.9.2006 as per the guidelines issued by the Department of Official Language. During the fortnight, Competitions for Hindi Essay writing, Shorthand, Typing, Poetry and Hind English translation were also conducted. Successful competitors were awarded cash prize totally Rs. 18,400/- by Secretary (Fertilizer) at a special function held on 4.11.2000. Under the Incentive Scheme for original Hindi noting and drafting in Official work, two officers and 12 employees were given cash awards totalling to Rs. 4650/- at the special function.

13.6 In order to oversee the implementation of the Official Language Policy, a programme for inspection of undertakings and their units was made. Twelve offices of various PSUs/ Cooperatives were inspected during the year. In addition, the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language visited following offices:
1. IFFCO, Kandla
2. NFL, Marketing Office, Noida
3. IFFCO, State Marketing Office, Chennai
4. PDIL, Sindri
5. HFC, Barauni Unit
6. IFFCO, Regional Office, Kanpur
7. IFFCO, Bangalore,
8. IFFCO, Regional Office, Ranchi

13.7 The First Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language made inspection of the Department on 9.1.2601.

13.8 For the purpose of giving advice in terms of smooth implementation of Official Language Policy, an Advisory Committee has been constituted in the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers is the Chairperson and the MOS (C&F) is the Vice-chairperson this Committee.

13.9 Two Hindi workshops were organised in the Department to overcome hesitation of the employees in working in Hindi.