‘Centre to accord classical tag to Odia language by Jan’

Bhubaneswar, Jan 15:

The Union Culture ministry has decided to accord classical status to Odia language by January this year, says senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Rama Chandra Khuntia.

Briefing newsmen here on Tuesday, Khuntia said the assurance to this effect was given by Union Culture minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch during a meeting in New Delhi recently.

A proposal of the linguistic committee of the Sahitya Akademi was sent in July last year for approval of the Union cabinet.

Stating that the approval has been delayed as some persons have filed complaints with the Union Home department against the approval of classical tag to Odia because a case in this regard is under adjudication at the Madras High Court, Khuntia said during his recent meeting with Union Home minister and Union minister of Law and Culture, he had told them that this should not be considered an impediment.

“I told them that since the Malayalam language had got the classical tag even when a case on this issue was sub-judice, there would be no problem for the Union cabinet to approve the same for Odia language” said Khuntia.