Bhubaneswar, Dec. 2 -- Odisha's Labour Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia informed the Assembly that as many as 319 shopkeepers across the state have been penalised for failing to display Odia nameplates, which is mandatory under state language rules. The announcement came during a written reply tabled in the House on Tuesday.

According to official data, between 2023 and 2025, authorities issued 2,594 show-cause notices to shop owners and commercial establishments for not complying with the Odia nameplate requirement. The initiative aims to promote the use of the Odia language in public spaces and ensure visibility of the local script in marketplaces and business hubs.

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