The Orissa Official Language Act 1954: Complete Act Explained Clearly
The Orissa Official Language Act, 1954, is a state law that declared Oriya (now Odia) as the official language for all government purposes in the state of Orissa (now Odisha). It has been amended several times, but it still struggles with full implementation. Here’s what the Act says, what changed over time, and why it’s still being discussed today.
What the Orissa Official Language Act 1954 Says
The core of the Act is simple: Section 2(1) says that Oriya must be used for all official purposes in Odisha. That includes communication, documentation, and administration. However, it also states that Indian numerals, not Oriya numerals, should be used.
The Act came into force right after its publication in the Orissa Gazette Extraordinary on 30 March 1954. It applies to the entire state.
Key point: The Act was supposed to make Oriya the primary working language of the government across Odisha.
Why English Is Still Allowed for Legislative Business
In 1985, the Act was amended to insert Section 3A. The section allows English to continue being used as an additional language in the Orissa Legislative Assembly, even after the 15-year period set by the Indian Constitution for transitioning away from English.
The implication: Even though the Constitution encouraged states to use regional languages, the clause lets English remain part of Odisha’s legislative proceedings permanently.
How the 2016 and 2018 Amendments Weakened the Original Law
Sections 4, 4A, and 5 were added in the 2016 and 2018 amendments. These introduced review and monitoring systems to oversee the law’s implementation. But many activists argue that instead of strengthening Oriya, these amendments diluted its official status.
Criticism: These changes are said to give English more room and reduce the urgency to fully implement Oriya, going against the Act’s original intent.
The Biggest Loophole: No Penalty for Breaking the Law
One major flaw in the Act is the absence of a punishment clause. If an official or department ignores the requirement to use Oriya, there’s no legal consequence.
Real-world result: Even after more than 60 years, a lot of government work is still done in English. In 2015, this issue led to the creation of a ministerial committee to look into how to enforce the law better.
More Than Half of Odisha MLAs Can’t Understand English
In a legislative debate, it was revealed that over 50% of the members of the Odisha Assembly don’t understand English. This sparked criticism about why English is still used for legislative business when the majority of lawmakers are not fluent in it.
This raises a simple question: If the lawmakers themselves don’t understand English, why isn’t Oriya being used more aggressively?
What the Law Means Today and Why It Still Matters
The law is still in force, but it hasn’t been fully implemented. The gap between what the law says and what actually happens has created frustration among language activists and citizens alike.
The 1954 Act was supposed to strengthen and preserve Oriya in government functions. But decades later, many feel the spirit of the law has been ignored, and that Oriya is still playing second fiddle to English in many official spaces.
Final Thoughts: The Law Is Clear, But Action Is Lacking
The Orissa Official Language Act, 1954, set a clear goal: to make Oriya the language of governance in Odisha. But due to legal loopholes, lack of enforcement, and continued reliance on English, the goal remains incomplete.
Until the law includes real consequences for non-compliance and the state makes serious efforts to shift fully to Oriya, the Act will remain more of a symbolic gesture than a fully realized policy.
