The new government has transferred Urdu officers to the Directorate of Minority Welfare where they find themselves idling away their time.
Team Clarion
HYDERABAD – Urdu holds the esteemed status of the second official language in Telangana and the appointment of Urdu officers here was a pivotal step to facilitate its usage at the official level. However, following the recent change of government, the vital services rendered by Urdu officers seem to have been sidelined. Despite the passage of two months since the formation of the Congress government, Urdu officers have yet to be posted in the chambers of ministers, resulting in the use of only Telugu language in all official activities. This has also disrupted the issuance of press notes in Urdu.
Back in 2018, a commendable initiative saw the appointment of 60 Urdu officers designated to ensure the usage of Urdu at official levels. These officers were strategically positioned in the offices of the chief minister and 17 ministers across various departments. Their presence facilitated the dissemination of government activities to the Urdu media through regular press releases.
The new government has transferred Urdu officers to the Directorate of Minority Welfare where they find themselves idling away their time.
Reports suggest that senior officials are awaiting the expansion of the cabinet before making any postings, with the intention of filling all 18 ministerial positions before assigning Urdu officers. However, the delay in posting Urdu officers should not be contingent upon the cabinet’s expansion. The initial appointment of these officers was not conditional upon the formation of a full cabinet.
To uphold the use of Urdu at the official level and ensure effective communication with Urdu-speaking communities, it is imperative that Urdu officers be promptly assigned to the current ministers. Waiting for the expansion of the cabinet should not impede the immediate fulfillment of this essential requirement.
This delay not only undermines the status of Urdu as the second official language but also hampers the inclusive governance promised by the new administration. As stakeholders advocate for linguistic diversity and representation, the urgency of addressing this issue cannot be overstated.
