CM writes to Centre to give priority to local languages in banking exams

CM writes to Centre to give priority to all 22 local languages in IBPS examinations Candidates and pro-Kannada outfits had protested against and boycotted the banking examinations Stringent rules must be implemented in appointing candidates with expertise in local languages

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to the Union Finanace Minister Arun Jaitley requesting 22 local languages recognised by the Constitution, including Kannada, to be given priority in the IBPS examinations, conducted to be recruited  in rural banks, reports Kannada Prabha.

Recently, the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) had appealed to the Chief Minister to provide preference to Kannada language in the bank appointments. The candidates and pro-Kannada outfits had strongly protested against and boycotted the banking examinations held last week opposing the non-Kannadigas writing exam in Karnataka. The protesters felt that allowing non-Kannadigas to write exam in Karnataka will deprive them of their chances of recruitment. Showing his support to their protest, Siddaramaiah wrote a letter to the Centre to recognise 22 languages for the banking exam. 

The CM's letter states that banking rules must be immediately modified in view of giving prominence to local language skills in the first grade and assistant officers’ posts. Kannada should be given preference and minimum SSLC level education must be compulsory for writing examination.

All 22 languages recognised under Section 8 of the Constitution are all national languages and all must be given equal opportunities. Currently conducting examination only in Hindi and English is a violation of the Constitution. Stringent rules must be implemented in appointing candidates with expertise in local languages, reports Kannada Prabha quoting the letter.