Question - What are the main points of the “Official Language Act, 1963” as amended 1967?

Question -  What are the main points of the “Official Language Act, 1963” as amended 1967?

Answer - The aforesaid Act was passed by the parliament as per article 343(3) of Part XVII of our constitution. There are 9 Sections and 11 Sub-Sections. The important points of the Act are as follows:

1. This Act gives permission for continuous use of Hindi for the official language of the Union and for the proceedings of the parliament.

2. This Act fixes the use of Hindi and English for the correspondence between the Union and states and also amongst the states.

3. This Act under the section 3(3) has made the following documents issued or made by the Central Government or by a Ministry, Department or Office thereof or by a corporation or company owned or controlled by the Central Government or by any office of such corporation or company, shall be both in Hindi and English.

1) General Orders, Circulars, Office Orders, etc.

2) Notifications

3) Press Communiques/Releases

4) Contracts

5) Agreements

6) Licenses

7) Permits

8) Tender Form and Tender Notices.

9) Resolutions

10) Rules

11) Official Papers laid before a House or both the Houses of Parliament.

12) Administrative and other Reports laid before a House or both the Houses of Parliament.

13) Other than those laid before a House or both the Houses of Parliament. It shall be the responsibility of the person signing such documents to ensure that such documents are made, executed or issued both in Hindi and English.