Karnataka govt extends deadline for 60% Kannada signage by two weeks

The deadline, imposed by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), was ended on February 28, requiring commercial establishments to have 60% of their signboards in Kannada.

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on February 29 announced a two-week extension for the deadline of 60% Kannada signage in Bengaluru.

The previous deadline, imposed by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), ended on February 28, requiring commercial establishments to have 60% of their signboards in Kannada.

Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru development portfolio, said, "Acknowledging the time needed for signage changes, Karnataka government has decided to provide an additional two weeks for commercial establishments to adhere to the 60% Kannada signage rule." He underscored the significance of honoring the mother tongue Kannada and full compliance by the end of the extended period.

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According to BBMP records, 94% of the 55,000 shops have complied with the order, while 3,044 establishments are yet to conform. Some traders, citing a shortage of time for creating name boards and obtaining supplies, had requested an extension. The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) urged enforcement without resorting to force or violence.

In a recent legislative session, amendments to the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Bill were approved, mandating 60% Kannada on name boards of various establishments in the state, with the requirement to display content in Kannada in the upper half of the signage.

A gazette notification issued on February 26 stated, "The name boards of commercial, industrial, and business undertakings, trusts, counseling centers, hospitals, laboratories, amusement centers, and hotels must display 60% content in the Kannada language, with Kannada displayed in the upper half of the name board."

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