MYSURU: Author and chairman of Kannada Development Authority (KDA) SG Siddaramaiah visited several government institutions in the city to take stock of the level of implementation of Kannada in administration.Siddaramaiah first visited the Administrative Training Institute (ATI), where he assessed use of Kannada in both administration and training. "ATI is a body that trains individuals of different departments. If this apex body fails to implement Kannada, officers trained her will not be able to do so when they assume charge," Siddaramaiah said.The KDA chairman pointed out that, on the ATI website, barring the institute's name, all the other information was in English. "There is no option to view the website in Kannada. The department had earlier received complaints about too much use of English on the premises. Some of the trainees have also expressed difficulty in understanding lessons in English. It is these complaints that have brought us to ATI," Siddaramaiah said.Clarifying that KDA was not against the use of English, Siddaramaiah, however, emphasised the need to preserve Kannada. "It is Kannada that must be given utmost importance at the institution. Kannada must be implemented across all departments of ATI. Even notices must be in Kannada. Also, course work and case studies are in English. Kannadigas must be given study material in Kannada," he added.Siddaramaiah further added that a committee would be formed in every government institution to oversee the implementation of Kannada for administration. "A report will be sent to the KDA on a regular basis. However, there is no committee at ATI. It is important to note that, while training a handful of non-Kannadiga students, Kannada-speaking people at the institute cannot be neglected," he said. Director general of ATI Sandeep Dave assured the KDA chairman that a new website would be developed, with information available in Kannada soon.Siddaramaiah has given the institute a period of 20 days for the development of the new website.Joint director of ATI Bhagyalakshmi informed the KDA authorities that the institute lacked permanent faculty, and that most of the classes were conducted by resource people, who preferred teaching in English. "But, all individuals trained here must learn Kannada. Classes will be held for the trainees, and exams conducted. They will have to clear the examination," Bhagyalakshmi said.Assistant director of the Kannada and culture department H Channappa, Rajashekar Kadamba, K Muralidhar, Veerashetty, Sharada Sampath and Chandrashekar were among those in attendance.Siddaramaiah also visited the department of archaeology and museums, and exhibition authority later.

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