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 here on Thursday that the directive is effective from this year and all establishments must abide by it.
"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 holiday that day, it should give employees a compensatory holiday.
On displaying Kannada nameboards, Chandru said all establishments mandatorily must display Kannada nameboards prominently on their premises from November 1.
"Establishments failing to do this will have to cough up 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