– Deep Sandhu, Avvijit Singh Dhaliwal
(Samaj Weekly)- It has been observed that the Punjab government appears to be lacking its commitment in practice to prioritize the local language, Punjabi, in official work, as outlined in guidelines, especially when it comes to tenders. In our beautiful state of Punjab, where the vibrant Punjabi culture and language are integral parts of our identity, it is disheartening to observe a discrepancy between the government’s guidelines and the actual implementation in official documents.
A recent analysis of government tenders revealed that only a mere thirty out of approximately 1760 tenders were available in Punjabi . This raises concerns about the government’s commitment to providing job opportunities for Punjabi youth. While Punjabi is offered as an option for some small tenders, larger tenders exclusively demand submissions in English, limiting the participation of Punjabi speakers.
Moreover, the absence of any requirements to reserve opportunities exclusively for Punjabi and Punjabis or give preference to Punjab and Punjabis further raises questions about the government’s stance on employing its own citizens. This departure from the government’s guidelines, which emphasize completing official work in the local language, undermines the career prospects of Punjab’s youth.
This leaves us wondering whether the Punjab government’s official departmental hierarchy is unaware of these problems or if the disparity is deliberate. The concern is compounded by the observation that, despite the requirement for Punjabi language education for government employment, the use of Punjabi diminishes once individuals are hired.
The language in which tenders are printed and completed is crucial for ensuring equal access to opportunities. It is imperative that state government bids be made available in Punjabi, enabling our citizens to fully comprehend the content and actively participate in economic activities. Denying this opportunity to Punjabis by favouring bids from individuals outside the state raises questions about the government’s commitment to its own people.
We should also question why state and regional languages are not given preference in government tenders, contrasting with practices in some other states where tenders are exclusively released in the state’s regional language. This neglect may inadvertently contribute to the erosion of our native language and culture. In a democracy, transparency is vital for public participation. Therefore, government communications and tenders should be in a language understandable to the masses, fostering true democratic engagement and ensuring participation of people in such processes through their languages will strengthen their love and faith for language and the government.
Additionally, the publication of tenders exclusively in English raises concerns about accessibility and transparency in government communications. In a democracy, transparency is crucial for public engagement, and this can only be achieved when information is presented in a language that the vast majority of state citizens understand.
In light of these observations, we have submitted a letter to the relevant authorities urging them to address these concerns and uphold the principles of linguistic diversity and transparency in government communications. We hope that the government will take notice of these issues and make a concerted effort to publish tenders in both Punjabi and English, ensuring that the entire Punjabi population has equal access to information and employment opportunities.
SFDOST – Society for Development of Scientific Temperament
Website: http://SFDOST.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: +91 977 977 9866
