Mangaluru: MLC Ivan D’Souza on Tuesday urged the government to introduce Konkani as a third language in the pre-university colleges. He raised the issue in Konkani, but later shifted to Kannada, as Konkani was not understood by many.

The Council chairman told Ivan D’Souza that there are no translators and hence he should speak in Kannada. Continuing his address in Kannada, Ivan D’Souza said Konkani has been included in the Eighth Schedule of the constitution and spoken by more than 15 lakh people.

Presently, Konkani has been taught upto SSLC and in degree. Hence, the government must introduce Konkani in the PU course, he said. About 1,500 students are studying Konkani as the third language, he informed the Council.

Though the draft syllabus has been submitted to the department of Pre University education in 2012, it was yet to be implemented, Ivan stated. He also demanded the opening of Konkani Study Chairs in all the universities of the state to promote the language.