Bhubaneswar: An awareness programme was organised in the state capital on Saturday to encourage the use of Odia language nameplates in shops and commercial establishments as part of the ongoing Odia Pakhya–2026 celebrations.
The campaign, led by the Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Department, aimed to promote the use of Odia in business signage and raise awareness about compliance with existing legal provisions.
The rally, held from Lower PMG to the office of the Labour Commissioner, saw participation from more than 200 people, who pledged to promote and preserve the use of the Odia language.
Labour Commissioner Indramani Tripathy formally inaugurated the awareness march. Addressing participants, he said that departmental officials will conduct inspections of shops and commercial establishments across the city from April 4 to April 7.
He stated that in places where Odia nameplates are not clearly displayed, business owners will be advised to install accurate and properly written Odia signage. He emphasised that language is a symbol of identity and pride, and ensuring its use in commercial spaces is a collective responsibility.
Officials also highlighted that under the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, displaying shop nameplates in Odia language clearly and correctly is mandatory. As per Section 35 of the Act, violations can attract financial penalties.
For first-time violations, fines ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 may be imposed, while repeat offences can attract penalties between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000.
The awareness drive also aims to inform traders about these legal provisions and encourage them to adopt Odia signage, thereby upholding the dignity and prominence of the language.
