Bhubaneswar, December 2: Show-cause notices have been served to as many as 2,594 commercial establishments across the State during 2023-25 for not displaying their outlet’s names in the Odia language, informed Labour and ESI Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia in a written reply in the State Assembly on Tuesday.
Responding to a query of BJP MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, the Minister informed the House that the notices were served between 2023-25 while fine has been collected from 319 violators.
The Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956 has made it mandatory for commercial outlets to prominently display their signboards in Odia.
According to the Minister, a highest of 274 show-cause notices were served in Jharsuguda district, followed by 272 in Balasore, 221 in Khurda. As many as 513 legal cases have been initiated across the State for not displaying outlets’ name in Odia language thereby for violating the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1965.
The Minister informed the House that, “If anyone is found in violation under the Act, a fine of Rs 1,000 is being imposed on first-time violators, up to Rs 5,000 on the second-time violators, up to Rs 25,000 on the third timers.”
The Minister further said that it is being ensured that every shop and commercial establishment must display their outlet’s names in Odia clearly and prominently.
