Traders race to meet May 15 deadline for Tamil boards

WITH a month to go to meet the deadline, shops and commercial establishments are on an overdrive to install name boards that feature Tamil prominently.

- PEARSON LENEKAR S R @Tiruchy

As part of a renewed drive, the Labour Department has fixed May 15 as deadline for traders to install Tamil name boards and signage, failing which penalties would be levied. The decision, officials said, is to promote Tamil as the primary language in public spaces, amid the debate on the language policy.

"Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Rules mandate Tamil as the primary language. Our intention is to ensure the language gets its due prominence. We've already sensitised shopkeepers and will continue inspections regularly," said V Thangaraj, Assistant Commissioner, Labour Department.