After the amendment, the amount of fine for contravention of the provisions of the said Act will be increased from Rs 25,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh to Rs 50,000, Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh respectively.
The cabinet also gave its nod to introduce this bill in the current session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly. According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office, any school which violates the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder for the first time for a month will be fined Rs 50,000. Provided that if such school for the second time contravenes the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder within a month, it shall be fined one lakh rupees.
Provided also that if such school for the third time contravenes the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder for one month and thereafter, a fine of Rs.2 lakh shall be imposed on it.
Sub-section (1A) is inserted under section 8 of the Act, where the State Government is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do, for reasons to be recorded in writing, it may suitably extend any or may reduce the penalty specified in sub-section 1 of section 8 of this Act by publishing a notification in the official gazette, the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement.
Specifically, the Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Act, 2008 was enacted by the state government with the objective of providing Punjabi learning and other languages as a compulsory subject by all students studying in classes I to X Was. matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Sub-section 1 of section 8 of the said Act deals with the imposition of penalty on schools contravening the provisions of the said Act.
Further, in clause (e) of section 2 of the said Act, the word ‘school’ has been defined as ‘school’ shall include any primary school, middle school, high school and senior secondary school which Established and maintained by the state government. a local body or panchayat, society or trust or such other school as may be notified by the State Government from time to time.
It may also be mentioned that in pursuance of the above definition, the State Government has already notified vide notification dated 22nd March, 2010 that Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and all schools affiliated to the Central Board of Education and the Indian Council of Secondary Education are located in . To be a school for the purposes of the said Act in the State of Punjab.
With the passage of time, it is felt that the above penalties are at a lower level. Therefore, in order to achieve the purposes for which it was enacted by the State Government and for more effective implementation of the said Act, the need has arisen to enhance the said penalty referred to in sub-section 1 of section 8. of the act.
The cabinet also approved amendments to the Official Languages Act, 1967 by insertion of section 8(3) u/s 8(d) of the Punjab State Languages (Amendment) Act, 2008, which provides for fine against officers in addition to punishment. is also. or officers who do not carry out official work in the Punjabi language, the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement.
Accordingly, provision has been made against the officer or officer for contravention of the provisions of the Punjab State Languages Act, 1967 and the Amendment Act, 2008 and various notifications made thereunder.
As per this provision, the officer or officer found guilty for the first time shall be liable to a fine of Rs. Fine up to Rs 2,000 in the second offense and up to Rs 5,000 in the third offence.
Such penalty shall be imposed by the concerned Disbursing and Expenditure Officer on the salary of the officer or officer. Provided that before imposing such fine, the officer or officers concerned shall be given an opportunity of being heard.
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