Bengaluru: Taking exception to some Ministers and officials writing notes and putting up files in  English, Chief Minister Siddharamaiah has said that Kannada should be compulsorily used in the State administration to the maximum extent.

He was speaking after releasing the logo of Karnataka Sambhrama-50 at a programme organised by Kannada and Culture Department at Vidhana Soudha Banquet Hall here yesterday.

Stressing on the need for using only Kannada in Inter-and Intra departmental correspondence and communication, Siddharamaiah said that, however, English can be used for correspondence with other States and the Centre.

Bemoaning that Kannada is not being used strictly in administration even though an order was issued to this effect years ago, the CM said that official negligence may be the reason for this. There is an urgent need for creating an atmosphere where usage of Kannada becomes inevitable, he added.

Noting that Kannadigas are broad- hearted, he said that in other States, life may become difficult if people do not speak local languages. But the situation in Karnataka is quite different, where one can easily live in Karnataka without learning or speaking Kannada language, he said adding that it is important to make non-Kannadigas learn and speak Kannada. Regretting the tendency of Kannadigas trying to communicate with people of other States in their own language, the CM said that all those who live in Karnataka must learn Kannada. Pointing out that the State was renamed as Karnataka on Nov. 1, 1973, Siddharamaiah declared that Karnataka Sambhrama-50 will be celebrated for a year from Nov. 1, 2023 to Nov. 1, 2024.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that Kannada Sambhrama-50 will be celebrated focusing on Kannada land, language, literature and water.

Stating that 271 people had sent their logo entries in response to Kannada and Culture department’s invitation, Shivakumar said the logo sent by one Raviraj G. Hulagur has been selected as the best of the lot. Noting that Raviraj has been presented Rs. 25,000 cheque by Kannada and Culture Department, he declared that Raviraj would be given an additional cheque for Rs. 1 lakh by the BBMP.

Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi said that the naming ceremony of Karnataka had taken place at Bengaluru, Hampi and Gadag. The 50th year celebration too will be held in a similar manner. Law Minister H.K. Patil, Kannada and Culture Secretary Dr. N. Manjula, Director Dr. Dharanidevi Malagatti, CM’s Political Secretary K. Govindaraj, MLC Nagaraj Yadav and others were present.