Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
Without prejudice to the provisions of this Act, the State Government shall take suitable steps to develop the Hindi language in the State. 2[8-A. The Director, Languages, Punjab or any of his officers, authorized by him, may inspect any office of the State Government, public sector undertaking, board or corporation, and office of any school, college or university of the State Government, to ensure the implementation of the provisions of sections 3 and 3-B of this Act. The officer or official having custody of the records of the aforesaid offices, shall make such record available, to the said Director or officer for inspection. 1 Inserted by Punjab Act No. 12 of 1982, Section 2 2 Inserted by Punjab Act No. 27 of 2008, Section 3 Right of a person to submit representation in any of the languages used in the State. Development of Hindi language. Power to inspect. 8-B. (1) There shall be constituted a State Level Empowered Committee to review and ensure the implementation of the provisions of this Act at the State Level. (2) The State Level Empowered Committee shall consist of the following persons, namely: - (i) the Education Minister, Punjab; …Chairman (ii) the Media Advisor to Chief Minister, Punjab or any other person, to be nominated by the Chief Minister; …Member (iii) Advocate General, Punjab or his representative; …Member (iv) the Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of School Education; …Member (v) the Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Higher Education; …Member (vi) the Legal Remembrancer and Secretary to Government of Punjab; …Member (vii) two representatives of Sahit Sabhas to be nominated by the Government; …Members (viii) three renowned persons, associated with Punjabi Press, to be nominated by the State Government; …Members (ix) four representatives of the public, to be nominated by the State Government; and …Members (x) the Director, Languages, Punjab. …Convener State Level Empowered Committee. (3) The State Level Empowered Committee may give such directions to the District Level Empowered Committee for implementing the provisions of this Act, as it may deem appropriate. (4) The State Level Empowered Committee shall meet at least once in six months. 8-C. (1) There shall be constituted a District Level Empowered Committee to review and ensure the implementation of the provisions of this Act at the District level. (2) The District Level Empowered Committee shall consist of the following, namely: - (i) A Minister or Member of the Legislative Assembly of the district, to be nominated by the Chief Minister; …Chairman (ii) the Deputy Commissioner; …Vice- Chairman (iii) the District Education Officer; …Member (iv) two representatives of Punjabi Sahityakars in the district, to be nominated by the State Government; …Members (v) three persons, associated with Punjabi Press, to be nominated by the State Government; …Members (vi) the District Public Relations Officer; …Member District Level Empowered Committee. (vii) two representatives of the public, to be nominated by the State Government; …Members (viii) the District Attorney; and …Member (ix) the District Language Officer. …Convener (3) The District Level Empowered Committee shall review the implementation of the provisions of this Act, in all offices of the State Government, public sector undertakings, boards and local bodies and offices of the schools, colleges and universities of the State Government at the District Level, and shall send a report to the State Level Empowered Committee. (4) The District Level Empowered Committee shall comply with the directions given by the State Level Empowered Committee with regard to the implementations of the provisions of this Act and shall report back about the compliance of such directions. (5) The District Level Empowered Committee shall meet at once in two months. 8-D. (1) If any officer or official of the aforesaid offices is found guilty of persistently violating the provisions of this Act or the notification issued thereunder, he shall be liable for disciplinary action under the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970. (2) Action against the guilty officer or official, referred to in sub-section (1), shall be taken by the concerned competent authority, on the basis of the recommendation made by the Director, Languages, Punjab: Punishment. Provided that before taking any disciplinary action, the officer or official concerned, shall be afforded an opportunity of being heard.] 1[(3) If any officer or official violates the provisions of this Act or the notification issued thereunder, the Director, Languages finds this prima facie case and upon issuance of show cause notice, if the reply filed by the officer or official is not satisfactory, then he shall be liable to fine of rupees five hundred for the first time and if he finds guilty for the second time, he shall be liable to fine upto rupees two thousand and if he finds guilty for the third time, he shall be liable for fine upto rupees five thousand. Such fine shall be recovered by the concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officer from the salary of the concerned officer or official: Provided that before recovering such fine, the concerned officer or official, shall be given an opportunity of being heard.]