The General Administration Department has issued directives that Hindi should be the medium of the State Government's competitive exams. The State Government has taken this decision in pursuance of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's announcement in this regard at the 10th Vishwa Hindi Sammelan on September 12, 2015.
Chief Secretary, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, all heads of departments, Divisional Commissioners, Collectors and CEOs of Zila Panchayats have been apprised of the decision.
As per the order, no officer-employee will be punished for not knowing English. If anyone is harassed or discouraged due to working in Hindi, then this practice should be strictly banned. The State Government has also made it clear that if it is found that any proceedings are being made in English in any Government department, directorate, corporation, public undertaking or semi-government organisation, it would be regarded as grave violation of the Government order and misconduct and strict disciplinary action would be taken against the concerned officer. The State has directed for mandatory use of Hindi in official work and correspondence. English translation should also be attached with correspondence sent to the Centre. Correspondence with other States should be made as per constitutional arrangement. It is the duty of the Secretaries, heads of departments and CEOs of corporations to ensure that works is done in Hindi in their respective departments. Clear-cut and strict instructions have been given to do all technical and non-technical official work at Government offices, semi-government bodies, undertakings and corporations in Hindi on mandatory basis. These directives have been repeated several times. Correspondence with other States should be made in the language specified under constitutional arrangement. There is no option. It has come to the notice of the State Government that on the pretext of technical issues, some departments, corporations, undertakings and semi-government bodies are still using English in official work, correspondence, name-plates, information, tenders in newspapers, press releases etc and correspondence with Centre and other States.