Delhi LG expresses concern over neglect of Punjabi language in govt schools

LG Saxena has noted that gap areas may be identified and necessary corrective measures may be undertaken in a time-bound manner

Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena has expressed serious and deep concern over the neglect towards Punjabi, one of the official languages of Delhi, in Government schools in the national capital.

There has been a reduction of 17 percent in the budget allocation for the Punjabi Academy in the current fiscal. (HT Archive)

Disposing of a file with regards to a status report submitted by the Punjabi Academy, GNCTD, on the condition of Punjabi Language, Saxena has underlined many shortcomings and asked for a thorough re-examination,according to the LG Office.

The report was put up by the Punjabi Academy, Department of Art, Culture and Language, GNCTD, after a representation was made by the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to the LG and had subsequently been forwarded by the LG Secretariat to ACL.

Observing that the report submitted by the Department is incomplete, inconclusive and does not reflect the whole picture with respect to the concerns raised by DSGMC, Saxena has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, directing the Chief Secretary, to examine the issue with all stakeholders.

The LG has also observed that the ACL Department in the first instance should have sought the details from these agencies on the current vacancy position of Punjabi teachers and efforts made to address the deficiencies, if any, LG Office stated in a press release.

Critical concerns, including a severe shortage of Punjabi teachers in both Delhi government and MCD schools, decreasing funding, etc. have been raised before the LG by various stakeholders in the past.

While 752 posts of TGT Punjabi and 4 posts of PGT Punjabi are lying vacant in Schools of Education Department, GNCTD, Punjabi Academy could spend only ₹19.99 Crore against the paltry ₹27.28 Cr allocated to it during FY 2023-24, LG Office stated.

There has been a reduction of 17 per cent in the budget allocation for the Punjabi Academy in the current fiscal. Similarly, a large number of positions for Punjabi Teachers in MCD schools also remain vacant.

This acute teacher crisis has directly impacted the quality of Punjabi language education, hindering the development of linguistic skills and cultural understanding among students.

Saxena has also observed that there is lack of seriousness in the overall efforts on the part of authorities concerned towards attaining the aims and objectives with which the Punjabi Academy was established, adversely affecting the promotion, propagation and development of Punjabi Language, the second official language as per the Delhi Official Language Act, 2000 and its Literature and Culture in Delhi, said the press release.

LG Saxena has noted that gap areas may be identified and necessary corrective measures may be undertaken in a time bound manner, in terms of extant law and guidelines, for ensuring the fulfilment of statutory responsibilities towards the Punjabi Language, literature and culture in Delhi.