The state government directed all establishments in Karnataka to declare a holiday on November 1 for Kannada Rajyotsava. Labour Minister B N Bachhe Gowda and Kannada Development Authority (KDA) Chairman Mukhyamantri Chandru told reporters on Thursday that the directive is effective from this year and all establishments must abide by it.
Declaration of Kannada Rajyotsava as a National Festival
"Kannada Rajyotsava has been declared a national festival. To celebrate it in a meaningful way and with more employee participation, the government, by invoking Section 3 of the Karnataka Industrial Establishments (National Festivals) Act 1963, has declared a holiday on November 1," Gowda said. If a company is unable to give a holiday that day, it should provide employees with a compensatory holiday.
Mandatory Display of Kannada Nameboards
On displaying Kannada nameboards, Chandru said all establishments must mandatorily display Kannada nameboards prominently on their premises from November 1. "Establishments failing to do this will have to pay a penalty of Rs 10,000," he said. The state government, through an amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Rules 1985, increased the penalty amount from Rs 250 to Rs 10,000.