Chennai: The fourth state official language commission has been constituted by the TN government to bring out the publications of Central and state government Acts in Tamil to cater to the needs of subordinate courts especially for court officers, advocates and the public. In an interview with DC, former HC judge Justice P. Kalaiyarasan, chairman of state official language commission, elaborated on the significance of the commission. He also thanked the Chief Minister and the law minister for having set up this commission.
Excerpts from the interview:
What is the role and function of this commission?
The commission trans lates and publishes the Acts enacted by Parliament and rules made there into Tamil. So starting from the Constitution of India, we have been translating Central government Acts into our state official language. Hence, the name of commission is 'State Official Language Legislative Commission (SOLLC). In short, we would be translating into Tamil, state and Central Acts, ordinances, rules, notifications and other reports. This is the fourth such commission constituted by the government. There were three commissions constituted at different times headed by eminent scholars and judges of Madras high court. The present commission is constituted to continue the tasks undertaken by the previous commission. We are sure that we will be able to bring out more publications with the adequate support of the government.
What is your top priority?
Our main focus is publishing the revised edition of the Constitution of India with the latest amendment, ie up to the 103th amendment. We have already commenced the work and will publish it soon.
How many members comprise this commission?
This commission has a chairman, three full time members S. Baskaran, A. Sankaran and S. S. Poovalingam, three part time members Velu, Muthuvel, Chockalingam and member secretary Julia Shanthi. The translation officers and translators and other establishment staff are also part of the commission.
Do you seek help of Tamil scholars and Tamil organisations?
Tamil scholars interested in the implementation of official language in the department of administration of justice can extend their help and expertise in our translation work and publication activities. We always welcome the coordination of Tamil organisations who can come forward to work along with the functions of the commission.
What more on the cards?
We want to compile and publish the Law Lexicon. We have initiated the process of updating the Law Lexicon already published and the revised edition will be published soon. We want this commission to help implement official language not only in subordinate courts of Tamil Nadu but also make efforts to make Tamil language as an additional language of Madras high court.
