Ludhiana, June 30:- Central Punjabi Writers' Association (Sekhon) Reg. has expressed concern over the issues related to Punjabi Language and Language Department Punjab and announced to call for an emergency meeting on July 4 at Punjabi Bhawan, Ludhiana. The association has demanded from the Punjab government that strict action be taken against the officials who are obstructing the work of Punjabi and Language Department.
In a joint statement issued by Central Punjabi Writers' Association President **Pawan Harchandpuri** and General Secretary **Prof. Sandhu Varyanvi**, it has been said that there are some such forces active in the Punjab government which are working against the interests of Punjabi Language and Language Department. They claimed that the initiatives taken by Director of Language Department **Jaswant Zafar** to implement Punjabi and resolve issues related to the department did not get support from some officials.
According to the statement, in the meeting held earlier with the Cabinet Sub-Committee of the Punjab government, the Language Department was given the responsibility of taking action regarding the promotion of Punjabi language and other demands. The association says that after the efforts made in this direction, there have been obstacles in the work of the Language Department and the budget of the department is not being released on time, due to which many plans are being affected. They also said that the formation of the Language Advisory Board has also been pending for a long time.
The Central Punjabi Writers' Association said that an emergency meeting has been called on July 4 at Punjabi Bhawan, Ludhiana to have serious discussions on these issues and decide on the next strategy. It will be attended by the central committee, executive members and presidents of district units.
The leaders of the association appealed to Chief Minister **Bhagwant Singh Mann** to take necessary steps to protect the interests of the Punjabi language and the Language Department, to fix the responsibility of the officials who create obstacles in the work of the department and to ensure effective action at the government level for the development of the Punjabi language.
This statement has been supported by the office bearers of the Central Punjabi Writers' Association and a large number of writers, litterateurs and intellectuals.