<p>Bengaluru: The debate over enforcing Kannada on nameboards has resurfaced, with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) directing all commercial establishments to renew their trade licences before February 1.</p>.<p>While trade licences are typically renewed for up to five financial years (April to March), the civic body has warned that licences will be withheld for businesses failing to comply with the government-mandated 60 per cent Kannada rule on nameboards.</p>.<p>Establishments missing the BBMP’s deadline will face penalties, with the renewal process being conducted online, officials said.</p>.<p>In a recent meeting with the Kannada Development Authority (KDA), the BBMP pledged to set up a Kannada implementation cell to promote Kannada as the language of administration.</p>.<p>KDA Chairman Prof Purushottama Bilimale clarified that while 60% of a nameboard must be in Kannada, the remaining 40% can be in any language of the owner's choice — not necessarily English.</p>.<p>"A majority of businesses have complied with the rule. However, the BBMP lacks legal authority to remove the nameboards of over one lakh shops operating without licences, even if they fail to meet the Kannada requirement," Bilimale told <em>DH</em>. He added that the KDA has urged the BBMP to persuade business owners before imposing fines or revoking trade licences.</p>.Speed up survey on Kannada name boards, says BBMP Chief Commissioner.<p>Bilimale suggested that since the renewal process is online, officials could collect photographic evidence of non-compliant nameboards for future enforcement.</p>.<p>BBMP Deputy Commissioner (Administration) BS Manjunathaswamy clarified that the trade licence process and the Kannada implementation cell are separate initiatives.</p>.<p>"Trade licences fall under the BBMP’s Health Department, whereas the Kannada implementation cell, spread across eight zones, will focus on ensuring Kannada is used as the administrative language," he said.</p>.<p>The BBMP also plans to conduct cultural programmes to encourage Kannada usage among officials and citizens. "A blueprint for these initiatives is being prepared," Manjunathaswamy added.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, nameboard manufacturers have seen a surge in demand.</p>.<p>Mohan Kumar C, proprietor of Mohan Arts on Avenue Road, said he has served over 50,000 customers.</p>.<p>"I've been in this field since 1975, and the past year-and-a-half have been my busiest. Shopkeepers are now highly aware of the 60 per cent Kannada rule. If they aren’t, I inform them, and they trust me. Every order I receive now follows the mandate," he said.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: The debate over enforcing Kannada on nameboards has resurfaced, with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) directing all commercial establishments to renew their trade licences before February 1.</p>.<p>While trade licences are typically renewed for up to five financial years (April to March), the civic body has warned that licences will be withheld for businesses failing to comply with the government-mandated 60 per cent Kannada rule on nameboards.</p>.<p>Establishments missing the BBMP’s deadline will face penalties, with the renewal process being conducted online, officials said.</p>.<p>In a recent meeting with the Kannada Development Authority (KDA), the BBMP pledged to set up a Kannada implementation cell to promote Kannada as the language of administration.</p>.<p>KDA Chairman Prof Purushottama Bilimale clarified that while 60% of a nameboard must be in Kannada, the remaining 40% can be in any language of the owner's choice — not necessarily English.</p>.<p>"A majority of businesses have complied with the rule. However, the BBMP lacks legal authority to remove the nameboards of over one lakh shops operating without licences, even if they fail to meet the Kannada requirement," Bilimale told <em>DH</em>. He added that the KDA has urged the BBMP to persuade business owners before imposing fines or revoking trade licences.</p>.Speed up survey on Kannada name boards, says BBMP Chief Commissioner.<p>Bilimale suggested that since the renewal process is online, officials could collect photographic evidence of non-compliant nameboards for future enforcement.</p>.<p>BBMP Deputy Commissioner (Administration) BS Manjunathaswamy clarified that the trade licence process and the Kannada implementation cell are separate initiatives.</p>.<p>"Trade licences fall under the BBMP’s Health Department, whereas the Kannada implementation cell, spread across eight zones, will focus on ensuring Kannada is used as the administrative language," he said.</p>.<p>The BBMP also plans to conduct cultural programmes to encourage Kannada usage among officials and citizens. "A blueprint for these initiatives is being prepared," Manjunathaswamy added.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, nameboard manufacturers have seen a surge in demand.</p>.<p>Mohan Kumar C, proprietor of Mohan Arts on Avenue Road, said he has served over 50,000 customers.</p>.<p>"I've been in this field since 1975, and the past year-and-a-half have been my busiest. Shopkeepers are now highly aware of the 60 per cent Kannada rule. If they aren’t, I inform them, and they trust me. Every order I receive now follows the mandate," he said.</p>