The Karnataka Local Authorities (Official Language) Act, 1981

THE KARNATAKA LOCAL AUTHORITIES (OFFICIAL LANGUAGE) ACT, 1981

This Act may be called the Karnataka Local Authorities (Official Language) Act, 1981.

The official language of all the local authorities in the State of Karnataka shall be Kannada: Provided that,- (a) the English language may be used in communications,- (i) addressed to the Central Government offices, offices of other State Governments, and the Accountant General; (ii) relating to orders made under any law which are subject to appeal or revision by any authority. (iii) addressed to courts other than village courts; (iv) where the English language cannot be dispensed with due to administrative reasons or where such communications are purely technical and scientific in nature; (b) if the population of a linguistic minority within the area of operation of such local authority is not less than fifteen percent.- (i) petitions shall be accepted in the language of such minority and as far as possible replies thereto shall be given in that language; (ii) hand-outs and publicity material shall also be given in the language of such minority; (iii) notices of the local authorities shall also be published in the language of such minority. Explanation.- In this section, 'local authority" includes a statutory corporation established by or under a law made by the State Legislature with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List II of the Seventh schedule to the Constitution, and a co- operative society registered under the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, 1959 (Karnataka Act 11 of 1959) *****

Provided that,-

1. (a) the English language may be used in communications,-
   • (i) addressed to the Central Government offices, offices of other State Governments, and the Accountant General;
   • (ii) relating to orders made under any law which are subject to appeal or revision by any authority.
   • (iii) addressed to courts other than village courts;
   • (iv) where the English language cannot be dispensed with due to administrative reasons or where such communications are purely technical and scientific in nature;
2. (b) if the population of a linguistic minority within the area of operation of such local authority is not less than fifteen percent.-
   • (i) petitions shall be accepted in the language of such minority and as far as possible replies thereto shall be given in that language;
   • (ii) hand-outs and publicity material shall also be given in the language of such minority;
   • (iii) notices of the local authorities shall also be published in the language of such minority. Explanation.- In this section, 'local authority" includes a statutory corporation

established by or under a law made by the State Legislature with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List II of the Seventh schedule to the Constitution, and a co- operative society registered under the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, 1959 (Karnataka Act 11 of 1959) *****