Rehan Ansari for BeyondHeadlines
Noting the fact that Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Acadmey has the lowest budget in India, Dr. Mahmoodur Rahman Committee recommended the inclusion of Urdu in the Official Languages Act.
Dr. Mahmoodur Rahman Committee was constituted to study; social, educational and economical condition of Muslims in Maharashtra has submitted its report to the Chief Minister Shri Prithviraj Chauhan.
While comparing the budget of Urdu Sahitya Academy of Andhra Pradesh where the budget is Rs.30 crores and Delhi its Rs. 13 crores, Committee observed that, “The lowest budget in the country is that of Maharashtra Urdu Academy. The declaration about the release of Rs.1 crore has reportedly yet not been implemented.”
Committee also recommends including Urdu in the Official Language Act. It says, “An overwhelming, majority have pleaded for the inclusion of Urdu in the Official Languages Act on the line of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir.
Report also noted the disappointment of the Chairman, Maharashtra State Urdu Sahitya Academy. It says, “The Chairman met the study group and expressed his total disappointment over the scope and working of his organization.”
The committee recommended the regularization of staff and autonomous status for Urdu Academy in Maharashtra. It says, “Urdu Academy should be given autonomous status with a manageable composition, i.e. one Chairman, one full time Director and five members including scholars, professors, and distinguished writers.”
Committee also suggested the name of Prof. A.S. Dalvi and Prof. Sahib Ali former and present HoD of Urdu Department, Mumbai University to prepare the draft Act.
Committee also recommended the restructuring of Urdu Sahitya Academy to increase its reach. It says, “The Academy has to initiate action in respect of its outreach in the public, translation of important Urdu Works into Marathi and vice versa.”
It suggested opening up of computer centers with reading room facility in the Muslim dominated areas and introduction of Urdu as a 3rd language in the Non Urdu Language schools.
