Regional transport offices (RTOs) across Maharashtra launched a drive on Thursday to check whether taxi and autorickshaw drivers have a working knowledge of Marathi . Flying squads took action against non-compliant drivers outside Dadar railway station in Mumbai, issuing show-cause notices and giving them one month to learn the language.
He also asked RTOs to record the checking process on video. Continued non-compliance could eventually result in the cancellation of both. On August 12, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said drivers of passenger transport vehicles must have a working knowledge of Marathi to communicate effectively with commuters.
Sarnaik said drivers who do not have the required knowledge of Marathi will first be given time to learn the language. He said that those who fail to follow the requirement could have their licence and badge suspended for three months. On Wednesday, the transport minister announced a month-long statewide drive to assess drivers’ Marathi language skills.
Taxi and autorickshaw drivers who took part in the state’s recent Marathi language training programme are now visiting RTOs to collect their certificates, resulting in long queues and chaos. He said 1.65 lakh drivers had already completed Marathi training and received certificates during a 105-day campaign. Earlier reporting noted: Motor Vehicle rules notified on August 12, which require these public transport drivers to have working knowledge of Marathi, said officials.
The minister said the government’s aim is not to take away anyone’s livelihood but to protect Marathi and preserve the state’s identity and culture. Drivers said they were asked to provide two photographs while submitting their forms. However, some said their photographs did not appear on their certificates despite having been submitted. Others said they received tokens but were not given the forms needed to finish the process.
Earlier reporting noted: Maharashtra RTO offices begin drive to check auto, taxi drivers’ Marathi knowledge Mumbai, Regional Transport Offices across Maharashtra on Thursday launched a drive to check taxi and autorickshaw drivers’ working knowledge of Marathi, with teams ordered to videograph the exercise, officials said. Earlier reporting noted: Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday announced a month-long drive to check the Marathi language proficiency of drivers across the state and directed RTOs to videograph the process.
