Gujarat Language Directorate Faces 80% Staff Shortage as State Marks Gujarati Language Day

As Gujarat marks Gujarati Language Day, concerns are being raised over the functioning of the state’s Language Directorate, which has reportedly been operating without a permanent director for the past eight years. Around 80% of its sanctioned posts are vacant, including 13 translator positions that have reportedly remained unfilled for nearly four years.

The vacancies have raised questions about the directorate’s ability to carry out its mandate of promoting Gujarati and supporting its use in government administration, particularly with the office’s top post also remaining vacant on a permanent basis.

Language Directorate Without Permanent Director Since 2018

The Language Directorate has existed since Gujarat was formed in 1960 following the state’s separation from Maharashtra. It initially functioned under the General Administration Department before being brought under the Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department in 2005.

The head of the directorate is the Language Director, a Class-I officer. However, the post has remained without a permanent appointment since the regular director retired in 2018.

For the past eight years, the responsibility has reportedly been handled on an in-charge basis, with an officer from the same government department being given additional charge.

The directorate has sanctioned posts for officers and employees across different categories. At present, only 11 posts are filled on a regular basis, while seven positions are occupied by temporary employees, taking the total number of people working in the office to 18.

Among the Class-I and Class-II positions, five officers are currently working after two Class-III employees were recently promoted, while three posts remain vacant.

13 Translator Posts Vacant

The shortage is particularly pronounced in the translation section, where 13 translator posts have reportedly remained vacant for around four years.

The vacancies are significant given the directorate’s role in supporting the use of Gujarati across the state government. Its responsibilities include:

Translating documents for government departments

Preparing Gujarati-Hindi and Gujarati-English dictionaries

Standardising technical and administrative terminology

Conducting Gujarati language examinations

Guiding government departments and district offices on the use of Gujarati in official correspondence

Linguistically verifying plaques and invitation cards used at government inaugurations

Promoting and propagating the Gujarati language

The directorate has also reportedly prepared around 80 books as part of its work.

Role in Gujarati Administrative Work

When Gujarat was formed in 1960, much of the state’s administrative work was conducted in English. The Language Directorate subsequently played a key role in translating government rules and administrative material into Gujarati and facilitating the use of Gujarati in official functioning.

Its responsibilities therefore extend beyond translation to standardising terminology, supporting government offices in their use of Gujarati and promoting the language more broadly.

However, with around 80% of sanctioned positions reportedly vacant and the directorate without a permanent head for eight years, questions remain over whether it has adequate manpower and resources to effectively carry out these responsibilities.