Part XVII - Official Language • Article

Article 344 Simplified: Commission and Committee of Parliament on official language

Article 344 (Commission and Committee of Parliament on official language) outlines general rules for legislative procedures, the language to be used in assemblies, or restrictions on discussions. It ensures the legislature conducts its work in a structured manner without interfering in active court cases.

Official Text

(1) The President shall, at the expiration of five years from the commencement of this Constitution and thereafter at the expiration of ten years from such commencement, by order constitute a Commission which shall consist of a Chairman and such other members representing the different languages specified in the Eighth Schedule as the President may appoint, and the order shall define the procedure to be followed by the Commission. (2) It shall be the duty of the Commission to make recommendations to the President as to— (a) the progressive use of the Hindi language for the official purposes of the Union; (b) restrictions on the use of the English language for all or any of the official purposes of the Union; (c) the language to be used for all or any of the purposes mentioned in article 348; ANGUAGE ) (d) the form of numerals to be used for any one or more specified purposes of the Union; (e) any other matter referred to the Commission by the President as regards the official language of the Union and the language for communication between the Union and a State or between one State and another and their use. (3) In making their recommendations under clause (2), the Commission shall have due regard to the industrial, cultural and scientific advancement of India, and the just claims and the interests of persons belonging to the non-Hindi speaking areas in regard to the public services. (4) There shall be constituted a Committee consisting of thirty members, of whom twenty shall be members of the House of the People and ten shall be members of the Council of States to be elected respectively by the members of the House of the People and the members of the Council of States in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. (5) It shall be the duty of the Committee to examine the recommendations of the Commission constituted under clause (1) and to report to the President their opinion thereon. (6) Notwithstanding anything in article 343, the President may, after consideration of the report referred to in clause (5), issue directions in accordance with the whole or any part of that report. C HAPTER II.—R EGIONAL L ANGUAGES

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

This rule creates a special committee of politicians and language experts to check on how the government is using Hindi and English, and recommend changes to the President.

Student Mode

Requires the President to appoint an Official Language Commission after 5 years and 10 years of the Constitution's commencement, consisting of representatives of languages listed in the Eighth Schedule. Clause (4) establishes a 30-member Parliamentary Committee (20 from Lok Sabha, 10 from Rajya Sabha elected by proportional representation) to review the Commission's recommendations and advise the President, who can then issue binding directions.

Example

When public money is collected, shared, audited, or spent, Article 344 explains the constitutional rule behind commission and committee of parliament on official language.

Key Takeaway

Article 344 anchors commission and committee of parliament on official language within India's constitutional system.

FAQs

How are the members of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language elected?

The Committee consists of 30 members (20 Lok Sabha, 10 Rajya Sabha) who are elected by the members of their respective houses using the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. This ensures all political parties are represented.

What must the Commission have regard to when making recommendations?

Under Article 344(3), the Commission must have due regard to the industrial, cultural, and scientific advancement of India, and the just claims and interests of persons belonging to non-Hindi speaking areas in public services, ensuring linguistic balance.

Quiz

How many members serve on the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language established under Article 344(4)?

Answer: 30 members

The members of the Official Language Commission represent languages listed in which schedule?

Answer: Eighth Schedule