Development of Punjabi
Punjabi is the out standing language of Punjab which finds its place in the schedule of regional languages of our constitution. By enacting a Language Act- 1967, Punjabi Language had been given the status of State Official Language. The following schemes are being executed for the development of Punjabi.

i. Honouring the Shiromani litterateurs
The prominent litterateurs who have to their credit substantial contribution in the different genres of literature are bestowed upon Shiromani Literary Awards. The selection of the litterateurs is made by the State Advisory Board constituted by the govt. They are honoured with a purse of money, a plaque and a medal.

The selection of the Shiromani litterateurs is made on merit taking into consideration the recommendations of already honoured litterateurs, Ministers and the high officials.
The following is the list of awards encompassing the amount. The list of Shiromani Punjabi Awards is given below:-

S.NO	Award	Amount
a.	Punjabi Sahit Shiromani award	Rs. 1,25,000/-
b.	Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar award	Rs. 1,00,000/-
c.	Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar award (Out of Punjab)	Rs. 1,00,000/-
d.	Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar award (Foreign based)	Rs. 1,00,000/-
e.	Shiromani Children literature writerAward	Rs. 1,00,000/-
f.	Shiromani Punjabi Journalist award	Rs. 1,00,000/-
g.	Shiromani Punjabi Ragi Dhadi Kavishar award	Rs. 1,00,000/-
h.	Shiromani Punjabi poet award	Rs. 1,00,000/-
i.	Shiromani Punjabi writer award	Rs. 1,00,000/-
j.	Shiromani Punjabi Radio/Theater/drama/television award	Rs. 1,00,000/-

ii. Financial assistance to the literary societies
The financial assistance is extended to the Punjabi literary societies registered in Punjab. To this effect an advertisement is given in the news paper every year. The last date of resending the receipt of applications to get the assistance has been fixed for 30th of April every year.

iii. Financial assistance for the publication of books
The Financial assistance is provided to the Punjabi writers of Punjab to enable them to get published their creative and unpublished manuscripts in book form. One writer is provided the said assistance only twice but not consecutively for two years. The manuscripts are got evaluated from the eminent litterateurs. The approval for the candidates deserving assistance is sought from the State Advisory Board.
Stipulations
a. Two copies of each manuscript are called for.

b. The manuscripts are invited each year by 30th of April.

c. The number of pages should be at least 70.

d. An assistance of Rs. 5,000/- is given against a manuscript consisting 125 printed pages.

e. An assistance of the order of Rs. 7,000/- is provided against a manuscript consisting more than 125 pages.

f. The printed book must bear the insignia of the Language Department and the words "The book owes to the Language Department for its assistance in publication."

g. After the publication of the book its 10 copies should be furnished to the Department gratis.

iv. Punjabi drama Competitions
The State and divisional level Punjabi drama competitions are organized for the development of Punjabi stage and to inspire and inculcate the aptitude for stage performance and to develop their potentialities. The published dramas of the renowned play wrights are staged in the competition. The award is given not only to the best actors and actresses but also on the best director. The teams, securing 1st and 2nd position at the divisional level are included in the State level Competitions.
The entries are invited from the drama teams of the schools, desirous of taking part in the competition through the respective district Language Officers by advertisement in the newspapers every year.

v. Punjabi Literary Creation and Poetry Recitation Competition
In the field of literary Creation the competitions are held for the children interested in various genres of literature. Keeping it in view they are asked to pen on the spot, an essay story, or poem on any given subject consisting 300 words or two pages. The poetry recitation competition is arranged separately.

The quiz competitions among the children are also held. The entries are called for from the schools every year by advertisement in the newspaper.

vi. Punjabi literary competitions
The competitions are conducted by inviting copies of their recent writing in duplicate from the budding writers in the field of literary creation pertaining to any of the genres of story, essay and one act play.

There also exists a provision to give a special prize to the writers below 21 years.

S.No	Prizes	Amount
a.	First prizes carrying	Rs 500/-
b.	Second prizes carrying	Rs 300/-
c.	Third prizes carrying	Rs 200/-
d.	Special prizes carrying	Rs 200/-

The date by which the entries are invited is notified through the newspapers every year.

vii. Pension to the Writers
Under the scheme of providing pension to the Punjabi writers and litterateurs putting in substantial contribution to the field of Punjabi literature, are provided pension @ Rs. 800/- per month
Stipulations
a. The writer should be sixty years old

b. His income should not exceed Rs 1,000/- (Rs. one thousand per month.)

c. He should not have any other source of income

viii. Financial assistance to the indigent writers
The Financial assistance is provided to the indigent writers/ artists and their dependent families by the department. The conditions for providing financial help are given below:

a. He must not be below 58 years.

b. His income should not exceed Rs 1,000/- (Rs.one thousand per month.).

ix. Awards to the best books
Under the scheme the best Literary book is given an award of Rs.5, 000 (Rs five thousands) to the concerned book printed in the year proceeding to the current financial year. The four copies are invited for the entrance in the competition. As such ten awards have been constituted under the following heads:

a. Bhai Veer Singh Award (Biography/Annotation/ Lexicography).

b. Gurbax Singh Preetlari Award (Essay / Travelogue).

c. Nanak Singh Award (Novel/story).

d. Gyani Gurmukh Singh Mussafar Award (Poetry).

e. Ishwar Chandar Nanda Award (drama/ one act play).

f. Teja Singh Award (Editing).

g. M.S.Randhawa Award (informative literature).

h. Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha Award (Grammar/Linguistics, reference book).

i. Sri Guru Harkrishan Award (Children literature).

j. Dr Attar Singh Award (Criticism).

x. The best book printing competition
The books are called for in order to bestow on the best printing award. The printer of the best book is given an award of Rs.2500/-
Stipulations

a. The book should have been printed in the year proceeding the year of competition.

b. The two copies of each book are called for.

The establishment carrying out the scheme of the development of Punjabi is occupies room No 25 in the Head Office, Bhasha Bhawan, Patiala. The required information and formats may be had and the applications, books etc may be sent to this office.

ix. Head office address
     Bhasha Bhawan,
     Sheran Wala Gate, Patiala
     Office Hours 9.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M
     Working Days Monday to Friday