The Punjab Official Language Act, 1967
The Punjab Official Language Act, 1967
This Act establishes Punjabi, written in the Gurmukhi script, as the official language of the State of Punjab. It mandates the use of Punjabi in all government offices, public sector undertakings, courts, and educational institutions for official correspondence and proceedings. The law also requires that legislative documents like Bills, Acts, and Ordinances be drafted in Punjabi, while allowing English or Hindi to continue temporarily in the state legislature. Furthermore, it authorizes the publication of authoritative Punjabi translations for various laws and ensures citizens can submit grievances in any language used in the state, promoting linguistic identity and accessibility.
- 1. Short title, extent and commencement
- 2. Definitions
- 3. Punjabi to be official language of the State
- 3A. Use of Punjabi in Courts and Tribunals
- 3B. Use of Punjabi in the offices of State Government and public sector undertakings etc.
- 4. Government’s powers to notify the official purposes for which Punjabi shall be used
- 5. Languages to be used in the Bills etc
- 6. Continuance of use of English language in State Legislature
- 6A. Authorised Punjabi translation of Central and State Acts, etc.
- 7. Right of a person to submit representation in any of the language used in the State
- 8. Development of Hindi Language
- 8A. Power to inspect
- 8B. State Level Empowered Committee
- 8C. District Level Empowered Committee
- 8D. Punishment
- 9. Repeal of Punjab Act No. 28 of 1960
PDF: pending for this language.