Signboard in Odia mandatory for shops; hefty penalties to be imposed on violators

Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided to strictly implement the Odisha Shops & Commercial Establishments Act, which makes it compulsory for commercial establishments to use signboards and display boards in Odia.

A decision to this effect was taken at high-level meeting chaired by Odia Language Literature and Culture department Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu here today.

Labour and Employee’s State Insurance Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Santhanagopalan R and District Labour Officers were present at the meeting.

The meeting revealed that at least 47,000 registered shops and commercial establishments out of the total 52,000 in the state have put up signboards and display boards in Odia. The state government has initiated punitive measures against some shop owners for violation of Odisha Shops & Commercial Establishments Act, said an official.

As per the decision taken at the meeting, the state government will serve notices on shop owners who have not put up signboards in Odia.

The state government will take stern action against the shop owners if they fail to adhere to the Odisha Shops & Commercial Establishments Act within seven days of the issuance of notice, said the official.

The state government will impose a penalty of Rs 5,000 on the first time violators of the Odisha Shops & Commercial Establishments Act and the penalty amount will go up to Rs 25,000 for the second time violators. There is also provision for cancellation of licenses, added the official.

The Labour Commissioner has directed the District Labour Officers and Municipal Executive Officers to take the necessary steps for strict implementation of the Odisha Shops & Commercial Establishments Act.