Now Reading: Maharashtra mandates Marathi for app-based cab drivers
-
01
Maharashtra mandates Marathi for app-based cab drivers
Maharashtra has made functional knowledge of Marathi mandatory for drivers of app-based cabs from Ola, Uber, and Rapido, amending the Motor Vehicles Rules on Wednesday. Non-compliance can lead to a three-month licence…
The Story in Brief
Maharashtra has made functional knowledge of Marathi mandatory for drivers of app-based cabs from Ola, Uber, and Rapido, amending the Motor Vehicles Rules on Wednesday. Non-compliance can lead to a three-month licence suspension or cancellation. Over 1.1 lakh non-Marathi auto and taxi drivers have completed a 105-day training programme so far. The compliance deadline for auto and kaali-peeli drivers ends August 15, with a crackdown from August 17. Meanwhile, app-based aggregators have until September 1 to apply for state licences, as per new Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules.
The Indian Opinion
Forcing drivers to learn Marathi makes practical sense in a state where passengers routinely need to give directions in the local language. But the move is being painted by some as an anti-migrant step, ignoring that similar requirements exist for taxi drivers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The real test will be enforcement quality: will the August 17 crackdown genuinely catch violators or simply harass those who made an effort? The 1.1 lakh trained drivers show willingness, but the state must ensure the 105-day course is accessible, not a trap.
Sources (2): timesofindia.indiatimes.com, inc42.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
