Kolkata, 20 July (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced that the use of the Bengali language will become mandatory for all official government work across the state from September 1. He said the decision had been taken in recognition of a suggestion made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Addressing the State Assembly, the Chief Minister said that from September 1, all official correspondence and administrative work in every state government department will be carried out in Bengali. Government documents, files and official communications will also be prepared in the language.

He clarified that correspondence with the Central government would be conducted in both Bengali and Hindi to ensure smooth communication between the state and the Centre.

Adhikari said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had recently written to him, highlighting the rich literary tradition and cultural heritage of the Bengali language and suggesting that it be given greater prominence in official work. He said the state government had decided to implement the recommendation.

Assembly Speaker Rathindra Basu also said he had expressed his desire to conduct Assembly proceedings entirely in Bengali after assuming office and that the Chief Minister had supported the proposal.

The Chief Minister said the move was aimed at strengthening the use of Bengali in the state's administrative system and making government services more accessible to the public through the use of the mother tongue.

The state government is expected to issue detailed guidelines for implementing the decision in the coming days. The new policy will come into effect across West Bengal from September 1.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh