A long way to reach Bengalooru

A long way to reach Bengalooru
Deccan Herald

It will still take some more weeks or even months for the Karnataka capital to be officially called Bengalooru. Ditto for the 11 other cities of the State which are to be rechristened.

The Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) has sought comments from different ministries and organisations on the Karnataka government’s proposal for the change of names of these cities. What is taking time is the delay in the MHA getting responses from several organisations.

Following the State government’s decision to effect the changeover, the MHA on November 16 wrote to the ministries of railways, civil aviation and surface transport as well as to the department of posts, the surveyor general of India headquartered in Dehra Dun and the Intelligence Bureau among others asking for their comments on the issue.

In its letter to the ministries of railways, civil aviation and surface transport, the MHA wanted to know “whether the proposed change of names of these cities/towns would necessitate any corresponding changes in the names of various railway stations, airports, ports, post offices etc servicing them.”

Interestingly, the MHA had sent a copy of its November 16 letter to the Karnataka revenue department also. Strangely, there has been no response from the state department. As a result, the MHA has sent a reminder to the revenue department on January 5!

The Karnataka proposal on the change of names of the 12 cities first reached the MHA even before the chief minister made the formal announcement on the last Rajyotsava Day — it landed at the ministry on October 27, sources in the MHA told Deccan Herald here on Tuesday. They added that the ministry would process the issue fast once all the ministries/departments/organisations concerned sent in their responses.

After all these bodies agree for the renaming, the MHA sends the green signal to the Karnataka government. The state government will have to publish the final notification after which the anglicised names of the major towns and districts will be Kannadised.

Among others, the names of Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hospet, Bellary, Shimoga, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Tumkur and Hubli will be changed to Bengalooru, Mysooru, Mangalooru, Hosapete, Ballary, Shivamogga, Belagavi, Kalburgi, Tumakooru and Hubballi, respectively.

ROADBLOCK

Delay due to tardy response from several ministries, organisations

No response from State revenue department either

Green signal only after nod from various bodies