Bhubaneswar: As part of ‘Oda Pakhya ’ celebrations from April 1 to April 14, the Labour and Employees State Insurance Department organized a massive awareness foot march today to promote the mandatory use of Odia signboards in all shops and commercial establishments.
More than 200 participants took part in the walk from Lower PMG to the office of the Labour Commissioner. They took a collective pledge to spread the use of the Odia language in daily business activities.
The awareness walk was formally inaugurated by Labour Commissioner Indramani Tripathy. In his address, he announced that departmental officers will conduct inspections across shops and establishments from April 4 to 7, 2026. Traders will be requested to prominently display nameplates in clear Odia script.
“Odia is our identity and pride. It is the collective responsibility of all to ensure its use in every business place,” Tripathy said. Additional Labour Officer Madan Mohan Paik, Joint Labour Officers Bighnajit Mahanta Mohapatra, Bharati Sitha and other officials were present on the occasion.
It may be noted that as per the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, displaying nameplates clearly in Odia is mandatory. Violation of Section 35 of the Act attracts stiff financial penalties.
