The work relating to the progressive use of Hindi in the Ministry of Steel is under the administrative control of a Joint Secretary and is looked after by a Director. The Hindi Section consists of a Deputy Director, an Assistant Director, a Senior Translator, three Junior Translator and two LDCs. At present, however one post of the Junior Translator is vacant.

  There are 59 Devnagari Typewriters including 33 bilingual electronic Typewriters. Adequate reading material in Hindi is available in the Ministry. A number of measures have been taken for the promotion of progressive use of Hindi in the Ministry and in the office of the Development Commissioner for Iron and Steel as well as in the PSUs under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel.

  Some of the important items with regard to the use of Hindi in the working of the Ministry and its PSUs are indicated below : 

1. Almost all the Public Sector Undertakings under the administrative control of this Ministry are publishing their house journals in Hindi also. In addition, Hindi magazines and books are available in their libraries.
2. An inspection team of the Ministry oversees the status of implementation of the provisions of the Official Language Act, Rules in the attached office/Public Sector Undertakings under the administrative control of the Ministry. During the year under review, the inspection team had made 11 such inspections upto 30^th September, 1998.

There is an Official Language Implementation Committee under the Chairmanship of a Joint Secretary in the Ministry. This Committee reviews the progress made in the use of Hindi in the Ministry, its attached office and public sector undertakings. Meetings of the committee are held from time to time. Two such meetings have been held-up till 30^th September, 1998.

  Hindi Salahkar Samiti

The Committee is under reconstitution.

  Implementation of Section3(3) of the Official Language Act.

In pursuance of the Official Language Policy of the Government of India, almost all documents covered under Section 3(3) of the Official Language Act are prepared both in Hindi and English. In order to ensure issue of letters in Hindi to Central Government Offices located in Region "A", "B" and "C" Checkpoints have been identified in the Ministry to ensure compliance of the O.L. Policy.

  Rajabhasha Shield/Trophies

In order to encourage the use of Hindi in the offices and undertakings under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel, a Chal Vaijayanti (Running Shield), a Rajbhasha Shield and two Trophies have been instituted. These awards are given every year to the Office/Undertakings on the basis of the annual performance. Besides, a medal is also awarded to the officer/employee whose work in Hindi is rated the best in the Ministry.

  Incentive Scheme for original Work in Hindi

The cash incentive scheme for original work in Hindi introduced by the Department of Official Language is also being implemented in the Ministry.

  Cash prizes Scheme for Dictation in Hindi

An incentive scheme for officers for giving dictation in Hindi is in operation in this Ministry. Under this scheme two cash prizes of Rs.1000 each are given to the officers who give maximum dictation in Hindi.

  Award for writing original books in Hindi

A scheme for awarding cash prizes for writing technical books in Hindi on various disciplines related to the steel industry and its allied subjects is also in operation in the Ministry. An amount of Rs.15,000/- Rs.10,000/- and Rs.7,500/- each is awarded respectively for the first, second and third prizes.

  Hindi Fortnight

To motivate the officers/ employees of the Ministry to do their official work in Hindi a Hindi fortnight was observed from 1^st September to 15^th September, 1998. To increase the use of Hindi in official work an appeal was made by the Honorable Minister encouraging the officers/employees and staff of the Public Sector Undertakings under the administrative control of the Ministry.

  During the Fortnight Hindi Essay writing/Hindi typing/Hindi stenography/Hindi noting & drafting competitions were held. Besides, Hindi workshops for various categories of officers and staff were also organised. Patriotic Hindi films were also shown to the staff of the Ministry. The Hindi Fortnight concluded with the distribution of prizes and certificates to the winners.

  "Prati din ak shabd" scheme launched in the Ministry three years back is being continued during the year. Under this scheme one word/phrase in Hindi and its English equivalent are written daily on the black boards installed on all the three floors of the Ministry. These are generally administrative and technical words/phrases used in day-to -day official work.

  To work in Hindi on every Wednesday

Wednesday has been designated as "Hindi Day" in the Ministry and all officials & staff are expected to carry out their entire official work in Hindi on Wednesday.

  Training in Hindi/Hindi Typewriting/Hindi Stenography

A program has been drawn up for imparting training in Hindi/Hindi Typing/Hindi Stenography to those employees for whom such in-service training is obligatory. Out of a total of 177 officers and staff (except group "D" employees) 168 possess working knowledge of Hindi. So far as Hindi typing and Hindi Stenography is concerned, out of 24 LDC and 38 Stenographers 10 and 27 know Hindi typing and stenography, respectively.