Now Reading: Maharashtra makes Marathi mandatory for cab drivers
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Maharashtra makes Marathi mandatory for cab drivers
The Maharashtra government has proposed amending the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to require all drivers of taxis, autorickshaws and app-based cabs with electronic meters to possess a "working knowledge of Marathi".…
The Story in Brief
The Maharashtra government has proposed amending the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to require all drivers of taxis, autorickshaws and app-based cabs with electronic meters to possess a "working knowledge of Marathi". The draft notification, issued on Wednesday, states that non-compliance within a month of notice may lead to suspension of the driver's authorisation for up to three months, and eventually revocation.
State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the August 15 deadline for learning Marathi will not be extended. On August 17, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will award certificates to autorickshaw drivers who have completed a government-run Marathi training course.
The Indian Opinion
The Marathi mandate makes practical sense for passenger safety and ease, but the state must ensure training is accessible and free, not a license raj weapon to harass drivers. The real test is whether the government's August 17 certificate drive actually absorbs thousands of drivers, or just becomes another hurdle in a city already hostile to migrants.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
