Haryana Citizen Petitions Government to Issue Transfer Orders in Hindi as per Official Language Act
Chandigarh, April 17, 2025:
Referring to the recent initiative by the Punjab Government to issue IAS/PCS transfer orders in Punjabi, its official language, followed by English translation, a citizen of Haryana has urged the State Government to follow suit by issuing similar orders in Hindi, the official language of Haryana, as mandated by law.
Advocate Hemant Kumar, a resident of Haryana and practicing lawyer at the Punjab & Haryana High Court, has submitted a detailed memorandum-cum-representation to Hon’ble Governor Shri Bandaru Dattatraya, Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini, and senior administrative officials. He has called upon them to ensure compliance with the Haryana Official Language Act, 1969, which requires that all government notifications, including posting and transfer orders of IAS and HCS officers, be issued in Hindi or at least primarily in Hindi, followed by English translation.
The petitioner expressed concern that despite Hindi being the official language of the State, the Personnel & Training Department’s Services-2 Branch continues to issue such important orders solely in English, which he terms a clear violation of statutory provisions.
Hemant Kumar cited a recent order dated April 14, 2024, issued by the Punjab Government regarding the transfer of IAS/PCS officers. That order was issued in Punjabi, the official language of Punjab, with an English translation appended. He urged the Haryana Government to adopt a similar practice in accordance with linguistic and legal norms.
The representation dated April 16, 2025, has been addressed to the following key officials:
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Shri Bandaru Dattatraya, Hon’ble Governor of Haryana
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Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Hon’ble Chief Minister
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Shri Rajesh Khullar, Chief Principal Secretary to the CM
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Shri Anurag Rastogi, Chief Secretary & Administrative Secretary, Personnel & Training
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Shri Vijayendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary (Appointments)
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Dr. Aditya Dahiya, Special Secretary, Personnel & Training
The memorandum appeals for prompt and appropriate action to begin issuing transfer and posting orders of IAS, HCS, and other officers in Hindi, with English translation, thereby aligning with the constitutional spirit and statutory requirements governing official language use in Haryana.