BBMP directs B’luru shopkeepers to allot 60% signage to Kannada or pay penalty

Team Udayavani, Dec 14, 2019, 10:07 AM IST

Bengaluru: BBMP taking the push for the Kannada language in an increasingly cosmopolitan city has asked shops and other commercial establishments to allot 60% of their signboards for Kannada words, failing which a penalty will be levied.

According to the BBMP’s Outdoor Signage and Public Messaging By-law 2018, all businesses were asked to have their name-boards with 60% lettering in Kannada, while the rest 40% can be in any language of their choice.

It is gathered that the penalty will depend on the size of the board. The civic body can levy up to Rs 10,000 in penalty and exceed in some cases.

“We have given time until December 30 to make the necessary changes. If the organisations do not comply, we will remove the violating signboards and levy a penalty,” Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Joint Commissioner Ramakrishna was quoted speaking to IANS.

It my be recalled that BBMP officials on December 2 raided several malls and shops for not putting up Kannada signboards in the city.

Giving Kannada prominence through signage has been a long-pending demand and was suggested by the Kannada Development Authority as well.