JANAKPURDHAM: The 16th international Maithili conference concluded here on Sunday, adopting a 10-point Janakpurdham Declaration.

The conference has demanded recognition of Maithili language as lingua franca in government, semi-government and non-government offices at provincial and local levels in Province 1 and 2.

Likewise, the conference underlined the need to make Maithili a compulsory paper (with 100 as full marks) from primary level to Grade 12 in school curriculum. It also called for initiating the process of teaching-learning and evaluation of students through the language.

Among other demands included in the declaration are establishment of Maithili Academy for the protection and preservation of Maithili language by identifying main working areas in Province 1 and 2, and arrangement of fellowship to individuals doing journalism in Maithili language.

The conference also demanded recognition of Maithili as a script for examination in all service commissions including Public Service Commission, the language being a part of language commission envisioned in the Nepal Constitution-2072 BS, and proportional appointment of Maithili language experts in such commissions.