Cuttack, March 17: Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) will soon enforce the use of Odia language in signage and display boards set up by various business establishments in the city.

The civic body and the district administration have decided to create awareness among people and ensure that shops and kiosks display the name of their units in Odia.

“At a meeting on Friday, we decided to ensure that all business establishments change to Odia signage by April 28,” said mayor Saumendra Ghosh. In the absence of any by-law, the CMC is unable to take action against violators. In 2010, the CMC had passed a resolution the regarding compulsory use of Odia language.

“Over 50 per cent shops and business establishments are yet to give prominence to Odia. It is unfortunate that the authorities have not taken any action,” said Sashikant Das, a local resident.

The civic body along with the district administration has convened a meeting with officials and traders on March 20 to implement the use of Odia signage here.

“We want to ensure that people voluntarily change the display names of their shops to Odia and we would also involve various NGOs and other cultural outfits to successfully achieve the goal,” Ghosh said.

The district administration was successful in its maiden attempt to enforce the use of Odia signage by various kiosks owners, who had set up their business units during bali yatra last year.

“We had achieved over 90 per cent success in our effort during bali yatra and are confident that with cooperation from business community we can successfully implement the same in the city,” said Cuttack collector Girish SN.

Officials of the district administration said Section 38 of Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, 1936, stipulated the display of names and addresses of commercial establishments prominently in Odia.