The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020.

(1) This Act may be called the Jammu andKashmir Official Languages Act, 2020. (2) It extends to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. (3) It shall come into force on such date1as the Central Government may, bynotification in the Official Gazette, appoint: Provided that the Administrator may appoint different dates for different areas in theUnion territory.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-- (a) "Administrator" means the Lieutenant Governor of the Union territory of Jammuand Kashmir appointed by the President under article 239 of the Constitution; (b) "Union territory" means the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

With effect from such date as theAdministrator may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf, theKashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi and English languages shall be the official languages to beused for all or any of the official purposes of the Union territory: Provided that the English language may continue to be used, for those administrative andlegislative purposes, in the Union territory for which it was being used before thecommencement of this Act: Provided further that the business in the Legislative Assembly of the Union territory shallbe transacted in the official language or languages of the Union territory.

(1) The Administrator may, forthe promotion and development of regional languages of the Union territory, take necessarysteps to strengthen the existing institutional mechanisms such as the Academy of Art, Cultureand languages in the Union territory. (2) The institutional mechanisms referred to in sub-section (1) shall make special effortsfor the promotion and development of Gojri, Pahari and Punjabi languages.