Team Herald
MARGAO: The 33rd All India Konkani Parishad urged Goa to push for Konkani language support across States, enforce Konkani education and official use in Goa, and reserve jobs for locals. It also called for a Language Commission, funding for script transcription, and collaboration with the World Konkani Centre on language technology.
The two-day session, held at Ravindra Bhavan Margao (RBM), which concluded on Sunday, passed several significant resolutions aimed at strengthening the position of Konkani language across multiple States and within Goa. The Parishad called upon the Goa government to persuade the neighbouring States - Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala - to extend financial support to Konkani medium schools, similar to Goa's support for Kannada medium primary schools and Kannada language teachers in high schools.
In a push for more robust implementation of Konkani in government operations, the Parishad stressed the need for continuous language training for government servants to facilitate their official work. The resolution also stressed making Konkani education mandatory for all students up to Class XII in schools across Goa, ensuring the language's preservation and growth among the younger generation.
A key demand emerged for establishing a Language Commission headed by a non-political language expert with cabinet rank. The proposed commissioner would have the authority to penalise officials failing to implement the Official Language Act effectively. This move aims to ensure strict compliance with language policies across all government departments and institutions.
The Parishad took a firm stance on employment policies, opposing any relaxation in the 15-year domicile requirement and mandatory Konkani language knowledge for government and semi-government positions, including at Goa University. It further advocated for making it mandatory for all establishments and industries in Goa to reserve 80% of jobs for Goans.
The resolutions also addressed literary and technological development of the language. The Parishad called for government support, including budgetary provisions, for transcription of literature between Roman, Kannada, and Devanagari scripts. Additionally, it proposed collaboration between the All India Konkani Parishad and the World Konkani Centre to coordinate technological initiatives to develop Konkani language across different States.