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Politics
Karnataka Minister Urges Banks to Provide Services in Kannada
✍️ India Today
🗓 01 Sep 2026, 09:38 PM
👁 117
The state’s finance minister called on banks to conduct transactions and customer service in Kannada, emphasizing the need for linguistic inclusivity.
Bengaluru, Sept 1 (India Today) – Karnataka's finance minister addressed major banking institutions today, urging them to offer all customer-facing services in the Kannada language. The minister highlighted that a significant portion of the state's population prefers conducting banking activities in their mother tongue, and that banks should adapt to meet this demand.
He noted that while many banks already provide multilingual support, the use of Kannada in branch signage, digital platforms, and staff communication remains limited. The minister appealed for immediate steps to train staff, update software interfaces, and display forms in Kannada.
The call aligns with the state government's broader push for linguistic preservation and better public service delivery. Banking officials were asked to submit implementation plans within the next month, signalling a coordinated effort between the finance department and financial institutions.
If banks comply, customers can expect smoother interactions, reduced language barriers, and enhanced confidence in accessing financial products across Karnataka.
He noted that while many banks already provide multilingual support, the use of Kannada in branch signage, digital platforms, and staff communication remains limited. The minister appealed for immediate steps to train staff, update software interfaces, and display forms in Kannada.
The call aligns with the state government's broader push for linguistic preservation and better public service delivery. Banking officials were asked to submit implementation plans within the next month, signalling a coordinated effort between the finance department and financial institutions.
If banks comply, customers can expect smoother interactions, reduced language barriers, and enhanced confidence in accessing financial products across Karnataka.