Cuttack: Kiosks and showrooms at the Bali yatra this year will have to put up signboards in Odia.

Officials said there had been clear instructions for display of signboards and business names in Odia in Bali yatra since 2012. Initially, the idea was not to enforce it and the authorities had expected traders to do it willingly. But very few did that.

"A special drive will be carried out to ensure that the standing instruction was followed and sign boards are written in Odia at Bali yatra this year. We will take action against those who do not do it," additional district magistrate (revenue) Raghuram Iyer said. "Kiosk-owners can use English, but only second to Odia on the boards."

A special squad will move around the fair and check on the use of Odia signboards.

"The squad will ask the violators to comply with the order. If they continue to flout the rule, we will fine them," Iyer said.

Utkal Sammilani, a socio-cultural outfit, had demanded the inscribing of signboards in Odia at Bali yatra. President of the organisation's Cuttack chapter Rabi Ranjan Sahu said: "We have been pursuing the use of Odia signboards at Bali yatra for several years now. We expect the district administration to enforce it successfully this year."

Bali Yatra Byabasai Sangha secretary Sukanta Sethi said: "We are not averse to using signboards in Odia. We will follow the rules."

The annual fair will be held from November 4 to 10.