Rajasthan Education Minister Dr B D Kalla on Thursday told the State Legislative Assembly that the process to accord the status of second official language to ‘Rajasthani Bhasha’ has started with the setting up of a high-level committee.

The committee will study the model of language status in Jharkhand and Chattisgarh to frame a draft for Rajasthani Bhasha, the minister replied to a Call Attention motion moved by Deputy Leader of Opposition Dr R S Rathore during Zero Hour.

The state government has approved the formation of a committee regarding declaring Rajasthani language as the second official language in the state, Dr Kalla said, adding after studying the model of two aforesaid states, this committee will submit a report regarding recognition of Rajasthani language on the lines there.

According to Dr. Kalla, on August 25, 2003, a resolution was unanimously passed by all the members of the State Legislative Assembly regarding recognition of Rajasthani language and its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The Central government has been urged from time to time to include Rajasthani language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

In this regard, requests have been made to the Central Government by the Chief Ministers in the years 2009, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2023. He informed that at present the matter is under consideration at the level of the Government of India.

The Education Minister said that it has come to the notice of the state government that different languages have been made official languages in different states. At present, the Rajasthan Official Language Act-1956 is applicable in the state. In order to include Rajasthani language in the official language, the matter is being examined for amendment in the said Act.

He said that the Mahapatra Committee has also considered Rajasthani language eligible for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Dr. Kalla urged the MLAs cutting across the party lines, the members should unite and request the Prime Minister to include Rajasthani language in the 8th schedule.

During Question Hour, Dr Kalla, who also holds art and culture departments, told the House that the construction work of all new Panoramas were in progress in the state. Giving information about the panorama construction work, he said that the foundation stone of Govind Giri Panorama has been laid on November 22, 2022 and the work order has been issued on February 6, 2023 and now its speed will be increased. He informed that financial approval was issued on February 8, 2023 for the construction of Rana Hammir Panorama and till now Rs 2.71 lakh have been spent on it.

The art and culture minister said that similarly to Bhagwan Devnarayan Panorama of Jodhpuria, the construction work was completed on January 27, 2023, on which Rs. 2.94 lakh  have been spent so far.