Signboard in Odia compulsory, otherwise Rs. 25,000 fine!

Bhubaneswar: The signboard in Odia is a must for shops in Odisha, said a recent warning of the Odisha government. Odisha government has warned that a Rs. 25000 fine shall be imposed if the signboards of shops are not prominently written in Odia.

Writing signboards in all the shops and commercial centres in the state of Odisha has become mandatory now. A meeting was held on April 6 in this regard where necessary directives have been issued to concerned officials. This will be monitored from this month.

As per reports on April 6, 2023 a meeting was held in this connection where it was decided that stern action will be taken against the violators. The Labour Commissioner has issued directives to the concerned officers in this connection.

It was also decided that the violators will be issued a 7 days notice. And still, if the regulation will not be obeyed, fine will be levied while the license of the shop may also get cancelled. First time violator will be levied a fine of Rs 5,000 while for the second time violation they may have to pay fine of Rs 25,000.

The necessary amendments in the The Orissa Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956 have been made in this connection.

So far in the urban areas of the State a total of 52,000 registered shops are there. Out of this about 47,000 signboards have been written in Odia.