Section 34 of The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 in hindi
Official language or languages of the Capital and language or languages to be used in Legislative Assembly.
- (1)The Legislative Assembly may by law adopt any one or more of the languages in use in the Capital or Hindi as the official language or languages to be used for all or any of the official purposes of the Capital: Provided that the President may by order direct—
- (i)that the official language of the Union shall be adopted for such of the official purposes of the Capital as may be specified in the order;
- (ii)that any other language shall also be adopted throughout the Capital or such part thereof for such of the official purposes of the Capital as may be specified in the order, if the President is satisfied that a substantial proportion of the population of the Capital desires the use of that other language for all or any of such purposes.
- (2)The business in the Legislative Assembly shall be transacted in the official language or languages of the Capital or in Hindi or in English: Provided that the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly or person acting as such, as the case may be, may permit any member who cannot adequately express himself in any of the languages aforesaid to address the Assembly in his mother-tongue.
Summary
- The Legislative Assembly can pass a law to adopt Hindi or any language in use in the Capital as its official language.
- The President of India can issue an order directing that the official language of the Union (English or Hindi) be used for specific official purposes in Delhi.
- If a large part of Delhi's population wants to use another language, the President can order that language to be adopted for official purposes too.
- The work inside the Legislative Assembly must be conducted in the official language of the Capital, Hindi, or English.
- If an assembly member cannot express themselves well in Hindi, English, or the official language, the Speaker can give them permission to speak in their mother-tongue.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can the Delhi Legislative Assembly choose its own official language?
Yes. The Assembly can pass a law to adopt one or more languages used in Delhi, or Hindi, as its official language.
2. What languages can be used to conduct business inside the Delhi Assembly?
Members can speak in the official language of Delhi, Hindi, or English.
3. What if a member of the Assembly does not speak Hindi, English, or the official language?
The Speaker can permit that member to address the Assembly in their mother-tongue.
4. Can the President of India interfere with Delhi's choice of official language?
Yes. The President can order the official language of the Union to be used for specific purposes, or order another language to be used if a substantial portion of the population desires it.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 34 of The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, who has the power to permit a member to speak in their mother-tongue during assembly proceedings?
Q2.Under Section 34 of The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, what must the President be satisfied of before directing that another language be adopted for official purposes?
Q3.Under Section 34 of The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, which of the following is NOT one of the default languages specified for conducting business in the Legislative Assembly?
Q4.Under Section 34 of The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, what instrument does the President use to direct that the official language of the Union be adopted for specific purposes in Delhi?