Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja chairing a meeting in Madikeri on Friday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Hotels, restaurants, homestays, and commercial establishments in Kodagu — known for its coffee and one of Karnataka’s primary tourist destinations — have been directed to ensure that 60% of the text on their nameboards is written in Kannada.
Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja on Friday instructed all departments to ensure strict implementation of the State government order mandating Kannada usage on nameboards.
He was speaking at a meeting held at his office in Madikeri following the government’s notification enforcing the rule across all establishments, including shops, commercial complexes, industries, schools, colleges, government offices, and tourist centres in the hill station.
Mr. Venkataraja said that the Karnataka Comprehensive Development of Kannada (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which received the Governor’s assent on February 25, makes it mandatory for all industrial, commercial, and business establishments to display at least 60% of their nameboard content in Kannada. Local bodies and concerned departments have been asked to take necessary measures for its effective enforcement.
The Act applies to all institutions that have obtained approval or permission from the government or local authorities. Private schools, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, entertainment centres, and hotels must ensure Kannada is prominently displayed on their nameboards, he said.
Emphasising the need to promote Kannada, particularly in border areas and private educational institutions, the Deputy Commissioner warned that non-compliance would attract penalties. A penalty of ₹5,000 for the first offence and ₹10,000 for the second has been imposed; repeated violations may also result in the cancellation of licences.
Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena shared details about the enforcement of Kannada nameboard regulations within local body limits.
Additional Deputy Commissioner R. Aishwarya, Additional Superintendent of Police Barike Dinesh Kumar, and Assistant Director of Kannada and Culture Department Kumar also spoke at the meeting.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India / by The Hindu Bureau / October 10th, 2025
