Koshi Province Recognises 13 Additional Languages for Official Government Work
Koshi Province has implemented a law recognising 13 additional languages, alongside Nepali, for official government business. The decision expands the province's recognised working languages to 14 and aims to strengthen linguistic inclusion and cultural preservation.
BIRATNAGAR, November 12: The Koshi Province Government has officially implemented legislation recognising 13 additional languages for government business, marking a significant development in the protection of linguistic diversity.
Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki announced the implementation on November 11, coinciding with the 141st birth anniversary of Mahaguru Falgunanda Lingden.
The new provision brings the total number of recognised languages for official government work in the province to 14, including Nepali.
The 13 additional languages are Maithili, Limbu, Rai, Tharu, Tamang, Magar, Bantawa, Urdu, Rajbanshi, Nepal Bhasa, Chamling, Sherpa and Santhali.
Previously, the Language Commission had recommended Maithili and Limbu for official government use in the province. However, the provincial government expanded the provision to include 11 additional languages.
The legislation is intended to make government services more accessible to people from different linguistic communities.
The provincial government has also announced that November 11 will be observed annually as Province Language Day.
The practical impact of the policy will depend on the availability of translators, administrative arrangements, budgets, and the development of procedures for using the recognised languages in government offices.