Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Language Commission has reiterated that embossed number plates on vehicles in Nepal must be written in the Nepali language using the Devanagari script, in line with constitutional provisions and a Supreme Court ruling.
The Commission, the constitutional body tasked with protecting and promoting the nation’s linguistic diversity, said the embossed number plates in English contradict the constitutional mandate.
The Commission also referred to a Supreme Court verdict issued on June 23, 2024, which ordered the government to ensure that number plates are inscribed in Nepali rather than in languages or scripts not recognized by the constitution. The ruling clarified that, under Article 7 (3), matters relating to languages other than the official and state languages are to be determined by the government on the Commission’s recommendation. The court directed all three tiers of government to comply accordingly.
Language Commission Chairperson Dr Gopal Thakur said the Commission has a constitutional responsibility to safeguard the official language in state functions. “We have decided to once again draw the government’s attention to the need to use the Devanagari script in embossed number plates,” he said.
(RSS)
