THE KANNADA LANGUAGE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT ACT, 2022

 

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KARNATAKA ACT NO. 13  OF 2023 

 

THE KANNADA LANGUAGE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT ACT, 
2022 

Arrangement of Section 

Sections: 

 

1. Short title and commencement 

2. Definitions 

3. Kannada to be the official language 

4. Use of the Official Language 

5. Official Language Commission 

6. Authorised Kannada translation of Central and State Acts, Rules,  

    Regulations, etc 

7. Enforcement mechanism for implementing official language 

8. Functions of the Enforcement Authorities. 

9. Designation of Enforcement Officer 

10. Duties of Enforcement Officer 

11. The Directorate of Enforcement of Official Language 

12. Kannada Language in Education 

13. Kannada Language in Higher Education, Technical Education and  

      Professional Education 

14. Reservation in Higher, Technical and Professional Education 

15. Knowledge of Kannada Language to be essential for employments in the  

      State Government, Local Authorities, Boards, Corporations and in  

      Statutory or Non-Statutory Bodies, Co-Operative Societies and Societies  

      of the State Government. 

16. Language in the Courts. 

17. General measures to be taken for extensive use and propagation of  

      Kannada Language. 

18. Measures to be taken for the use of Kannada language in Information  

      Technology. 

19. Incentives for the development of Kannada Language. 

20. Entitlement of Concessions and Tax rebates or deferment. 



 

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21. Employment Portal. 

22. Punishment for failure to comply with the provisions of the Act by the  

      Government Officer. 

23. Penalty for violations of the provisions of the Act by private individuals. 

24. Compounding of Offence. 

25. Supervision by the State Level Committee. 

26. Power to make rules. 

27. Power of Government to give directions. 

28. Protection of action taken in good faith. 

29. Power to remove difficulties. 

30. Transitory provisions. 

31. Repeal and Savings. 

 

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS 

Act 13 of 2023:- Article 345 of Constitution of India provides for States 

to adopt anyone of the Languages as official language for official or any other 

purpose. Accordingly in the state of Karnataka Kannada Language was 

adopted as the official language. With the object of developing the regional or 

official language namely Kannada, the State of Karnataka has enacted The 

Karnataka Official Language Act, 1963 and Karnataka Local Authorities 

(Official Language) Act, 1981. In order to ensure greater and more effective 

implementation of Kannada Language at all levels, Kannada Development 

Authorities Act, 1994 came to be enacted and a statutory body was 

established called as Kannada Development Authority. Later another Act by 

name „Kannada Language Learning Act, 2015‟ was enacted for ensuring 

learning of Kannada as one of the language in all schools in the state of 

Karnataka.  

 
Despite aforesaid enactments, notifications and orders, there is no 

much progress in proper implementation of the official Language in the 

State.  The Kannada Language has been introduced as one of the Language 

subject in Schools but there is no proper provision for learning of Kannada 



 

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Language in the Higher or Technical or Professional Education.  Due to lack 

of co-ordination between various departments, there is a failure in 

implementation and usage of Kannada language in Offices, Industries, 

Shops and Establishment etc. The aforesaid Acts do not provide 

comprehensive mechanism to implement Kannada as an Official Language. 

Even the Kannada Development Authority though a statutory body has no 

proper authority and machinery to ensure implementation of the Kannada 

as the Official Language at all level.  

 
Considering the scenario, to ensure the extensive use and propagation 

of Kannada Language and to co-ordinate the activities relating to the 

implementation of Kannada as Official Language new law is essential.  In 

order to provide reservations for Kannadigas in private industry and 

establishment getting the benefit of Land, Concession of Tax or grant-in-aid 

etc., and also other industries and establishments in the state and to 

supervise the proper implementation of the Act, it is necessary to provide a 

machinery with investigating powers. 

 

The Karnataka Law Commission in its fifty- seventh report has 

proposed to enact a legislation in this regard. 

 

Keeping in view these objects, it is necessary to enact a new 

comprehensive law by repealing the Karnataka Official Language Act, 1963 

(Karnataka Act 26 of 1963) and the Karnataka local Authorities (Official 

Language) Act, 1981 (Karnataka Act 30 of 1981). 

 

The salient features of proposed legislation are as follows: 
 

(i) Introduction of Kannada as one of the language in Higher or 

Technical or Professional Education. 

(ii) Reservation in Higher, Technical and Professional Education to 

persons who have studied in Kannada medium. 



 

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(iii) Introduction of Kannada as essential Language for seeking 

employment in the State Government, Local Authorities, 

Statutory and non-statutory bodies, Co-operative Societies and 

other societies in the State.  

(iv) Use of Kannada Language in Sub-ordinate Courts , Tribunals, 

Banks and other Financial Institutions.  

(v) General Measures to be taken for Extensive use and Propagation 

of Kannada Language 

(vi) Measures to be taken for use of Kannada Language in 

information and technology and in software development. 

(vii) Incentives for development of Kannada Language. 

(viii) Entitlement for concessions, Tax rebates and deferment of taxes 

for industries providing reservation to Kannadigas as per 

Industrial Policy notified in the State. 

(ix) Establishment of Employment Portal. 

(x) Establishment of mechanism (Committees or enforcement 

officers) for implementation and supervision.  

(xi) Penalty for violation in implementation of provisions of the Act by 

Government Officers or Individuals. 

 Hence, the Bill 

[L.A. Bill No. 26 of 2022, File No. SAMVYASHAE  28 SHASANA 2022]  

[Article 345 of the Constitution of India.]   

[Published in Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary No.107 in part-IVA 

dated:10.03.2023] 

  



 

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KARNATAKA ACT NO. 13  OF 2023 

(First Published in the Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary on the 10th day of March 
2023) 

 

THE KANNADA LANGUAGE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT ACT, 2022 
(Received the assent of the Governor on the 10th day of March 2023) 

 

An Act to provide for Comprehensive Development of Kannada Language and 
to provide better opportunities in Education and Employment of Kannadigas. 

 
Whereas it is expedient to provide for comprehensive development of Kannada 

language to provide better opportunities and also welfare measures in all walks of 

life of kannadigas and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto; 
 
Be it enacted by the Karnataka Legislature in the Seventy Third Year of the 

Republic of India as follows:- 
 
1. Short title and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the Kannada 

Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022. 
 
(2) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by 

notification in the Official Gazette appoint and different dates may be appointed for 
different provisions of this Act. 

 
2. Definitions.-  In this Act unless the context otherwise requires,- 

(a) “Disciplinary Authority” means the officer designated as Disciplinary 
Authority in the relevant Service Rules; 

(b) “Enforcement Authority” means the Committees designated as per 
section 7 of the Act; 

(c) “Enforcement Officer” means an officer designated under section 9 of 
the Act; 

(d) “Government” means the Government of Karnataka; 
(e) “Kannadiga” means a person or his parents or in their absence legal 

guardian who is/are ordinarily resident of Karnataka for not less than 
fifteen years and having knowledge of reading and writing Kannada 
and possessing such documents in this regard as may be prescribed; 

(f) “Local Authority” means such of the local self Governments created by 
the law and includes any other statutory or non-statutory bodies, 
Trusts, co-operative and other societies established by the State 
Government and other bodies as may be notified by the State 
Government; 

(g) “Official Language” means Kannada language declared as per Section 
3 of the Act; 

(h) “State” means State of Karnataka. 
 

3. Kannada to be the official language.- The Kannada Language shall be 
the Official Language of the State and Local Authorities. 

 
4. Use of the Official Language.- (1) Kannada shall be used:- 



 

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(i) In all Bills to be introduced and all Acts to be passed by the State 
Legislature; and 

(ii) In all Orders, Rules, Regulations or Bye-laws issued by the 
Government, all Local Bodies, Boards, Corporations, Statutory and 
Non-Statutory Bodies or undertakings and registered Co-Operative 
Societies. 

(2) All existing Legislations in English language enacted by the State 
Legislature before the commencement of this Act shall be translated and published 
in Kannada Language.  

(3) All the important Central Acts with Karnataka Amendments shall also be 
translated into Kannada. 

 
(4) Kannada language shall be used for all the official and administrative 

purposes and correspondences in the State and by the Local Authorities. 
Provided that: 
(a) English language may be used for correspondence with The 

Government of India, Foreign Countries, Other States, High Courts, 
Supreme Court and in any other circumstances where English language 
has to be used as provided by law; 

(b) Linguistic minorities as far as possible use Kannada language or 
English for correspondence with Government, Head of Departments and 
other Government offices. In such cases, the replies may be in Kannada 
or in English; and  

(c) Where the English language cannot be dispensed with due to 
administrative reasons or where such communications are purely 
technical and scientific in nature, English language can be used. 

5. Official Language Commission.- (1) The State Government shall 
constitute the Official Language Commission under the Department of 
Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation consisting of the following members, namely:-  

 

(a) Retired Secretary to the Government,  Department 
of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation.  

Chairman  

(b)  One retired officer of the Department of Translation 
not below the rank of Deputy Director.   

Member  

(c) One retired Officer or a  retired professor 
conversant with translation and a graduate of law. 

Member  

(d) Additional Director of Department of Translation. Member Secretary  

 

 (2) The Chairman and Members of the Commission nominated by the 
Government shall hold office for a term of five years.  
 (3) The nominated Chairman and Members shall be whole time members of 
the Commission and shall be eligible for such pay and allowances as specified in 
the Karnataka Civil Service Rules.  

6. Authorised Kannada translation of Central and State Acts, Rules, 
Regulations, etc.- (1) Translation of any Central Acts with respect to any of the 
subject enumerated in List III of the seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India 
or of any State Acts  in Kannada language published under the Authority of the 
Governor, in any Official Gazette shall be deemed to be authoritative text. 

(2) Translation in Kannada language of any Rules, Regulations, Bye-Laws, 
Schemes, Orders, Notifications, etc., made under any State or Central Act by the 



 

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State Government and published in Official Gazette shall be deemed to be the 
authoritative text. 

7. Enforcement mechanism for implementing official language.- (1) Every 
office of the State Government, including officers subordinate and under 
administrative control of each Department of Secretariat, shall make suitable 
provisions in its policies pertaining to public interface and public interest for use of 
Kannada for effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.  

(2) The following Committees shall function as enforcement authorities in the 
State namely:- 

(a) State Level Committee.- There shall be a State Level Committee consisting 
of,-  

(i) The Minister incharge of the Kannada and Culture Department as 
the Chairperson;  

(ii) The Chief Secretary to Government as the Vice-Chairperson; 
(iii) The Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority - Member  
(iv) The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Department of 

Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) - Member; 
(v) The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Department of 

Commerce and Industries - Member; 
(vi) The Secretary to Government, Department of Kannada and Culture - 

Member;  
(vii) The Director, Directorate of Kannada and Culture, shall be the 

convener of the committee ; and   
(viii) A Representative of the State Kannada Sahitya Parishat – Invitee. 

 
Provided that, in the absence of the Chairperson the Vice-Chairperson shall 

preside over the meeting of the State level Committee.  
 
(b) District Level Committee.- There shall be a District Level Committee under 

the Chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner consisting of following members:  
(i)  The Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat;  
(ii)  The Commissioner of the City Corporation if there is a City Corporation 

in the District. In other Districts where there is no City Corporation, the 
Municipal Commissioner or Chief Officer of City Municipal Council, as 
the case may be; 

(iii) The Deputy Director of Public Instructions of the District; 
(iv) The Joint Director, Department of Commerce and Industries of each 

District; 
(v) Project Director, District Urban Development Cell; and  
(vi) The Assistant Director, Directorate of Kannada and Culture, shall be 

the convener-Member Secretary.  
(c) Taluka Level Committee.- There shall be a Taluka Level Committee of,-  

(i) The Assistant Commissioner as the Chairperson; 
(ii) The Executive Officer of the Taluka Panchayath -Member; 
(iii)  The Tahasildar of the Taluka shall be the convener of the Committee. 
(iv) The Block Education Officer of the Taluka – member; 
(v)  The Commissioner or the Chief Officer of the City Muncipal Council or  

Town Municipal Council or Town Panchayath – member ; and 
(vi) The Panchayat Development Officers in the Taluka – member. 

8. Functions of the Enforcement Authorities.- (1) (a) The Taluka 
Committee shall hold a meeting every three months and submit its report regarding 



 

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steps taken for the enforcement of Kannada Language to the District Level 
Committee within fifteen days from the date of the meeting.  

(b) The District Committee shall hold a meeting once in three months and 
submit its report to the State Level Committee within fifteen days from 
the date of the meeting.  

(c) The State Committee shall hold a meeting once in three months and 
submit its report to the Government within fifteen days thereof. 

(d) The District and Taluka Level Committees shall take necessary action 
on the report submitted by the Enforcement Officer. 

(2) The Assistant Director of Kannada and Culture being the convener of the 
District Level Committee shall co-ordinate with the Taluka and District Committees 
to ensure that the meetings as specified above are conducted and the reports are 
submitted in time to the State Level Committee.  

9. Designation of Enforcement Officer.- (a) An officer not below the rank of 
Group „A‟ officer of the State Government, shall be designated as an Enforcement 
Officer. However Group „B‟ officer belonging to the Department of Kannada and 
Culture shall be preferably designated as an Enforcement Officer. 

(b) The Enforcement Officer shall be appointed by,- 
(i)  The Deputy Commissioner for the District in respect of 

Government Departments, Statutory Boards and Corporations 

other than Local Bodies or 

(ii)  The Commissioner of the Corporation for the Corporation area in 

respect of Local Bodies or 

(iia) In respect of the Grama Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat and Zilla 

Panchayat the Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat ; or  

(iii) The Joint Director, Department of Industries and Commerce in 

respect of industries, shops and commercial establishments 

 as the case may be. 

 Provided that, in respect of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) 

area, the Chief Commissioner of BBMP may appoint any number of Enforcement 

Officers as required. 

10. Duties of Enforcement Officer.- The Enforcement Officer in order to 

ensure the compliance of general measures prescribed under the provisions of this 

Act shall perform following duties:-  

(i) conduct periodical inspection in the Government Departments and the 

Local Authorities under sub-section (1) and (5) of  section 17; 

(ii) conduct periodical inspection to ensure compliance of sub-section (6) to 

(10) of  section 17; 

(iii) The inspection reports shall be submitted to the Committees concerned in 

such manner as may be prescribed. 

11. The Directorate of Enforcement of Official Language.- The 
Directorate of Kannada and Culture shall also be the Directorate of Enforcement of 
the Official Language. 

  12. Kannada Language in Education.- In so far as Education in all schools 
in the State are concerned, the provisions of Kannada Language Learning Act, 
2015 (Karnataka Act 22 of 2015) shall continue to apply. 

13. Kannada Language in Higher Education, Technical Education and 
Professional Education.- (1) As per the New Education Policy, in Higher, Technical 



 

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and Professional Education course, practical and functional knowledge of Kannada 
language pertaining to concerned professional course shall be taught to the 
students as prescribed by the respective Universities. 

  (2) In so far as students who have not studied Kannada as one of the 
languages at the SSLC level shall also be taught basic Kannada Language as a 
subject prescribed in the University syllabus.      

14. Reservation in Higher, Technical and Professional Education.- 
Students who have studied in Kannada medium from 1st Standard to 10th Standard 
in Karnataka or in Kannada Medium Schools in any other States shall be provided 
such percentage of reservation in Higher, Technical and Professional Education as 
may be notified by the State Government. 

15. Knowledge of Kannada Language to be essential for employments in 

the State Government, Local Authorities, Boards, Corporations and in 
Statutory or Non-Statutory Bodies, Co-Operative Societies and Societies of 
the State Government.- In addition to other qualifications or conditions 
prescribed, every person seeking State Government employment or employment in 
any Local Authorities, Boards, Corporations, Statutory or Non-Statutory Bodies or 
registered Co-Operative Societies and other Societies of the State Government, 
must pass Kannada language examination conducted by the Karnataka Public 
Service Commission or any other Authority notified by the Government in this 
behalf which is equivalent to first or second language of 10th Standard or SSLC. 

Provided that, a person who has passed SSLC or equivalent examination in 
Kannada as first or second language is exempted from such Kannada Language 
examination. 
 16. Language in the Courts.- (1) The District Courts or Trial Courts as the 
case may be and Tribunals shall conduct proceedings in Kannada and pronounce 
the orders and judgments in Kannada Language; 
 Provided that, the Presiding Officer of any such Court or Tribunal may while 
recording evidence in Kannada, make use of English words and phrases wherever 
necessary; 
 Provided further that, the High Court may by general or special order permit 
the Presiding Officer to record evidence in English. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act, all the Orders of all 
quasi-judicial functionaries of the State Government shall be in Kannada. 

17. General measures to be taken for extensive use and propagation of 
Kannada Language.- (1) The board displaying the name of the State Government 
Departments, Undertakings or Autonomous Bodies, Co-Operative and Public 
Undertakings, Educational Institutions, Banks, other Financial Institutions, Private 
Industries and Universities, of the officers and designations shall be primarily in 
Kannada. 

 (2) The particulars displayed on the boards erected under the supervision of 

various Government Departments and local authorities of the State including 

names of roads and extension areas, shall be primarily in Kannada. 

 (3) All Tender Notifications, Advertisements, Application forms, Digital 

Forms, Certificates and Notifications issued by the Government or Local 

Authorities for publication in Karnataka shall be primarily in Kannada. 

 (4) The pamphlets, banners, flex, electronic display boards, informations, 

notices, etc., of programmes conducted by Government, Local Authorities, 

Institutions whether Aided or Un-Aided, shall be primarily in Kannada. 



 

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 (5) The Boards, Advertisements, Receipts, Bills, Notices, etc., in connection 

with any project undertaken by the Government or implemented with any kind of 

consideration, grant concession from Government or allied Institutions or Local 

Authorities shall be primarily in Kannada. 

 (6) The upper half portion of boards displaying the names of Commercial, 

Industrial and Business Undertakings, Trusts, Counseling Centre‟s, Hospitals, 

Laboratories, Amusement Centers and Hotels etc., functioning with the approval 

and sanction of Government or Local Authorities, shall be in Kannada and lower 

half can be in any other language. 

 (7) As far as possible all the Industrial and other consumer products 

manufactured within and sold in the State shall bear the product name and 

direction for use, if any, in Kannada apart from any other language. 

(8) In all the boards displaying advertisements and notices published for the 

information of general public in the State, a fixed percentage of the content shall be 

in Kannada. The classification of advertisements or percentage of Kannada portions 

of advertisements to be displayed shall be as prescribed by the State.   

(9) Every industrial establishment in the State owned by the State and 

Central Government, Public Sector Undertakings, Banks and Private Industries 

having more than one hundred employees shall establish,- 

(a) „Kannada Cell‟ headed by senior employee of the organization having 

knowledge of Kannada for the purpose of usage of  Kannada Language 

in day-to-day work functions of the organization and to carry out such 

other functions as may be prescribed.  

(b) „Kannada Kalika Ghataka‟ (basic Kannada Teaching Unit) for non-

Kannada speaking employees. The Government at the request of such 

establishments shall provide necessary teaching staff and study 

materials at their cost. 

(10) Every person employed in Banks and other Financial Institutions 

situated within the State of Karnataka shall use Kannada language also in all its 

communication and correspondence with the public.   

18. Measures to be taken for the use of Kannada language in 

Information Technology.- (1) E-Governance Department shall develop open 

source software and accessories for the efficient use of Kannada language in the 

field of Information Technology. 

(2) The information in the websites of various Departments of Government, 
Local Authorities, Quasi-Governmental Institutions, Public Sector Undertakings, 
Autonomous Bodies, Co-operative Societies, etc., shall be made available in 
Kannada in Unicode or available technology from time to time and website shall be 

modified for selecting any language to be used therein. 
(3) The facility shall also be made available for the use of Kannada in the e-

tenders and e-Governance projects being implemented in the Government 
Departments. 

(4) All electronic applications developed by Government and Local 
Authorities shall also be in Kannada.  All electronic application forms, messages, 
letters, etc., shall also be in Kannada. 

19. Incentives for the development of Kannada Language.- Scheme shall 
be formulated by E-Governance Department for awarding incentives to persons 



 

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who provide creative suggestions to the Government for the effective development of 
Kannada language in the field of Information Technology. 

20. Entitlement of Concessions and Tax rebates or deferment.- (1) No 
private industry, establishment or institution shall be eligible for concession of land 
or any other concession of tax rebate or deferment of tax or any kind of grant-in aid 
unless such industry, establishment or institution provides not less than such 
percentage of reservation to Kannadigas as per the industrial policy notified by the 
State. 

(2) If any industry which has undertaken to comply with the industrial 
policies of the State prescribed for reservation in employment for Kannadigas, fails 
to fulfill the obligation, shall be liable for disentitlement of continuation of benefits 
namely concessions and tax rebates or deferment or any kind of grant-in aid in 
future and shall also be liable for recovery of the same. Such disentitlement shall 
be invoked only after giving an opportunity of hearing to the said industry. 

(3) The Finance Department and Commerce and Industries Department of 
the Government shall ensure the compliance of the provision of sub-section (1) and 
(2). Annual Report in this regard shall be laid before both Houses of State 
Legislature and upload in the Departmental website. 

(4) The Commerce and Industries Department shall send report to the State 
Government and upload in the Departmental Website, the details of establishments 
who have availed incentives or concessions from the State and also the details of 
employment provided to the Kannadigas as per the industrial policy. 

(5) All the industries governed by the Apprentice Act, 1961(Central Act 52 of 
1961) shall give preference to Kannadigas in providing apprentice training. 

(6) In all industries having more than one hundred  employees which have 
received concession or incentives as per the industrial policy, the Enforcement 
Officer designated under sub-clause (iii) of clause (b) of section 9 shall also function 
as the Nodal Officer, who shall be submit a quarterly report to the District Level 
Committee regarding measures taken for implementation or compliance as required 
under the Act.  

21. Employment Portal.- The State Government shall establish 
employment portal for Government Offices, Institutions, Local Authorities, Public 
Enterprises, Private Industries, Establishments and their appointing agencies in 
Karnataka. Such portal shall notify the vacancies and posts to be filled-up along 
with the prescribed knowledge of Kannada for such employment.  

22. Punishment for failure to comply with the provisions of the Act by 
the Government Officer.- (1) The Government Officer entrusted with the duty of 
enforcing Official Language if fails to comply with the provisions of this Act, such 
conduct shall be deemed to be dereliction of duty and shall be liable for such 
disciplinary action as may be determined by the Disciplinary Authority. 

(2) Any failure on the part of the Government officials in using Kannada 
language in official and administrative transactions shall be deemed to be 

dereliction of duty and the same shall be reported by the respective Committees to 
the State Level Committee for needful disciplinary action: 

Provided that, before taking such disciplinary action, the concerned officer or 
official, shall be given an opportunity of being heard.  

23. Penalty for violations of the provisions of the Act by private 
individuals.- Whoever being the owner or person in-charge of any industry, shop, 
firm and commercial establishment, fails to comply with the provision of sub-
section (6) to (10) of section 17 of this Act shall be liable for fine as noted below: 

(i) fine which may extend to Rs.5,000/- for the first offence. 



 

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(ii) fine which may extend to Rs.10,000/- for the second offence and 
(iii) fine which may extend to Rs.20,000/- for every subsequent offence 

and shall also be liable for cancellation of the license. 
Explanation:- For this purpose before initiating any action, the Enforcement 

Officer shall issue a show-cause notice indicating the violation of the Act and 
provide opportunity for compliance of the provisions of this Act within fifteen days 
from the date of notice. Failure to comply with show cause notice will attract the 
aforesaid offence and penalty.  

 
24. Compounding of Offence.- (1) Any offence whether committed before or 

after the commencement of this Act punishable under section 23, may either before 
or after the institution of the prosecution, can be compounded by such officers or 
authorities and for such amount as the State Government may, by notification in 
the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf. 
 (2) Where an offence has been compounded against the offender under sub-
section (1), no further prosecution shall be taken against him. 
 

25. Supervision by the State Level Committee.- (1) The State Level 
Committee shall supervise the implementation of provisions of this Act.   

(2) It shall be the duty of the said Committee to inform the Appointing 
Authority or Disciplinary Authority to take suitable action against the officers 
responsible for violation of the provisions of this Act. 

(3) It shall be mandatory for every Appointing Authority or Disciplinary 
Authority to take appropriate action on the recommendation of the State Level 
Committee within a reasonable time not exceeding one year from the date of 
communication of the report. 

(4) The State Level Committee may also recommend for suitable action in 
respect of violation of other provisions of the Act to the Appropriate Authorities. 

 
26. Power to make rules.- (1) The Government may, by notification in the 

Official Gazette make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
(2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid as soon as may be before 

each House of the State Legislature while it is in Session for a total period of thirty 
days, which may be comprised in one Session or in two or more successive 
Sessions and if, before the expiry of the Session in which it is so laid or the Session 
immediately following both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or 
decide that any rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only 
in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be, so, however, that any 
such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of 
anything previously done under that rule. 

 
27. Power of Government to give directions.- The State Government may 

issue such directions or instructions to all officers of the State Government as may 
be necessary for effective implementation of the provisions of this Act and the rules 
made thereunder.  

 
28. Protection of action taken in good faith.- No suit, prosecution or other 

legal proceedings shall lie against the State Government or the Local Authority or 
any Officer of the Government in respect of anything which is done in good faith or 
intended to be done in pursuance of this Act and any Rules or Orders made there 
under.  

https://indiankanoon.org/doc/148412740/


 

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29. Power to remove difficulties.- (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect 

to the provisions of this Act, the Government may, by order published in the 
Gazette, make provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act which 
appear to be necessary or expedient, for removing the difficulty: 

Provided that, no such order shall be made after the expiry of period of two 
years from the date of commencement of this Act. 

(2) Every order made under this Section shall, as soon as may be after it is 
made, be laid before the Karnataka State Legislature. 

 
30. Transitory provisions.-  All rules, orders, notifications issued on the 

matters specified in this Act by the State Government before the commencement of 

this Act shall be valid and deemed to have been done or issued under the 
provisions of this Act and they shall continue until it is modified or withdrawn 
under this Act. 

 
31. Repeal and Savings.- (1) The Karnataka Official Language Act 1963 

(Karnataka Act 26 of 1963) and the Karnataka Local Authorities (Official Language) 
Act, 1981 (Karnataka Act 30 of 1981) are hereby repealed. 

(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under 
the said Act shall be deemed to have been done or taken under this Act. 

The above translation of                         , 2022 

(2023ರ                : 13) be published in the official Gazette under 

clause (3) of Article 348 of the constitution of India.  

THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT 

GOVERNOR OF KARANATAKA 
 

 

By Order and in the name of 

the Governor of Karnataka, 

 

 

  

G.SRIDHAR 

Secretary to Government 

Department of Parliamentary 
Affairs and Legislation