The Kannada Development Authority (KDA) of the state government is keeping a close watch on all shops and establishments in the IT city. The KDA has given a notice to all shopkeepers and businessmen that the boards should be displayed in Kannada and English. It says Kannada should also get equal space.

Kannada Development Authority Chairperson, Mukhyamantri Chandru says, "It is a three language rule. Kannada is compulsory. The board must have the name in Kannada in bold. It must be prominent. If they don't follow it, then we will fine them Rs 10,000. In spite of that fine, if they don't comply, we might revoke their licenses."

It is the serious penalty associated with non-compliance of the rule that is forcing acceptance into the shop owners. Most of the shops now have Kannada boards.

Says a shopkeeper, Farzan, "We are living in Karnataka and the rule is mandatory now. I think it is important that the board is in Kannada."

The rule about shops displaying their name in Kannada has been in existence since the past several years, but lack of any serious action against defaulters led to the names in Kannada being printed in rather small fonts or not being printed at all.