Now Reading: Marathi now mandatory for Maharashtra cab drivers
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Marathi now mandatory for Maharashtra cab drivers
The Maharashtra government will require all auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers to have a 'working knowledge of Marathi' from August 15, with no extension of the deadline, according to Transport Minister…
The Story in Brief
The Maharashtra government will require all auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers to have a 'working knowledge of Marathi' from August 15, with no extension of the deadline, according to Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. Drivers who fail to comply face licence suspension for up to three months and possible revocation of authorisation. The draft amendment to the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, covers drivers of vehicles fitted with electronic meters.
However, BJP Transport Cell president Haji Arfat Sheikh has demanded a 100-day extension, citing heavy rainfall that disrupted training across cities. He claims 75% of drivers already have basic Marathi knowledge. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam indicated that an extension could be considered. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said forcing someone to learn the language was wrong.
The Indian Opinion
There is nothing wrong with expecting public transport drivers to speak the local language for basic communication. But the government must ensure training is genuinely accessible before imposing penalties. The claim of 75% proficiency is unverified, and the rainfall disruption was foreseeable. The real test will be whether the August 15 deadline holds or if the government quietly extends it for the remaining drivers. Does it have the data to back up its own deadline?
Sources (3): livemint.com, rediff.com, indiatoday.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
