Team Herald
MARGAO: Raising concerns about which Konkani script will be used for translating the RTI Act in the State’s official language, supporters of Roman script on Saturday called for the Act to be translated into both Devanagari and Roman scripts to benefit all Goans.
The development follows the State Information Commission’s announcement that the RTI Act will be translated into Konkani, the State's official language.
The Global Konknni Forum (GKF) has offered assistance in translating the Act into Roman script.
Speaking to O Heraldo, GKF president Kennedy Afonso questioned the Commission and the government regarding the script choice.
He said, “The minority community of Goa, which constitutes nearly 33 percent, reads and writes Konkani in Roman script, and Goans should also benefit from the RTI Act.”
He said that it would be the right decision to translate the RTI Act into both scripts - Roman and Devanagari script.
GKF secretary Jose Salvador Fernandes expressed concern that the RTI Act might be translated solely into Devanagari script, excluding those who cannot read or write in that script.
He said, “Considering the large number of people who are well-versed in Roman script, it is the government’s duty to also translate the RTI Act into Roman script.”
Fernandes offered GKF’s full support to translate the RTI Act into Roman script if the government lacked the manpower to do so.
He stressed that the government should not engage in activities that deprive users of Roman script Konkani under any pretext.
Bruno Fernandes, a supporter of Roman script, said that Roman script Konkani has been the script and dialect of Goans for centuries and continues to be widely used throughout Goa.
“I am delighted to see that the Chief Information Commissioner has directed the authorities concerned to address the long-pending demand for the RTI Act to be translated into Konkani. However, I urge the authorities to ensure the RTI Act is translated into both Roman and Devanagari scripts,” he said.
He claimed that many Goans, who cannot write in English or Devanagari, have always used Roman script. Until now, they have had to rely on others to write RTI appeals for them in English.
He demanded that Romi Konkani should be given top priority, as it represents a unique script dating back to 1550 in print media, which would make Goans proud.
It is pertinent to note that a day before, the State Information Commission announced that the RTI Act, enacted in 2005, is being translated into the official language, Konkani, with the aim of ensuring that the act reaches the people and benefits them.