The Sikh Times - News and Analysis - Punjabi to Receive Second Language Status in New Delhi

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Punjabi to Receive Second Language Status in New Delhi

By STAFF

Press Trust of India, Jun. 3, 2003

"The Centre has agreed in principle to give second language status to Urdu and Punjabi in the Capital. 'Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani today said the Centre has agreed to the proposal by Delhi government to grant second language status to Urdu and Punjabi and now the proposal will be sent to the Law Ministry for clearance,' National Commission for Minorities Chairman Tarlochan Singh said. Singh was the member of a delegation which met Advani today. Claiming that the decision was a result of persistent efforts of the Commission, Singh Said: 'N.C.M. had been insisting that since 50 per cent of the population in the national capital speaks Punjabi, it should be granted second language status.' "
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"The delegation included, among others, Delhi B.J.P. M.P.s V.K. Malhotra, Madan Lal Khurana and various representatives of the sikh organisations. Malhotra expressed hope that the government notification would be issued within a fortnight. Pointing out that Centre's clearance to the proposal forwarded by Delhi government in 2000 was pending due to some technical 'shortcomings,' he said Advani had assured them that necessary steps would be taken to rectify it."
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