KATHMANDU:- The Language Commission has emphasized the need to use Nepali language in the embossed number plate installed in the vehicles.
The Commission asserted that the Article 7 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal stipulates that the Nepali language, written in the Devanagari script, as the official language of Nepal for government functions.
The constitutional body mandated to protect, promote and develop the nation’s diverse languages also expressed its dissent over the latest provision of the vehicle number plates being in English only.
Furthermore, the Commission cited the ruling of the Supreme Court that the embossed number plates must be in the Nepali language rather than in any languages and script unrecognized by the constitution thereby pressing for use of Nepali language in the vehicle number plate.
In a decision regarding the use of Nepali script delivered on June 23, 2024, the Supreme Court delivered the ruling that the Article 7(3) stipulates that other matters relating to language, beyond the official Nepali language and state languages, will be decided by the Government of Nepal upon the recommendation of the Language Commission.
Hence, it directed all three tiers of the government to act in line with the constitutional provision.
Commission’s Chairperson Dr Gopal Thakur shared that the Commission, acknowledging its constitutional responsibility, has decided to draw the attention of the government once again towards the need of using Devanagari script (Nepali language) in the embossed number plate.