27 August,2026 06:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CM Fadnavis said he met representatives of auto and taxi unions and discussed their concerns. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has granted a one-year extension to autorickshaw and taxi drivers to comply with the state's requirement for basic Marathi knowledge.
The Chief Minister said he met representatives of auto and taxi unions and discussed their concerns over the implementation of the rule.
The representatives of autorickshaw and taxi drivers' organisations, led by Haji Arfat Shaikh, met him, Fadnavis told reporters on Thursday.
Fadnavis said that knowledge of Marathi is important for people working as auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state.
"Marathi is important in Maharashtra and basic knowledge is compulsory," the Chief Minister said.
He added that the requirement is aimed at ensuring drivers have basic knowledge of the local language while providing services to passengers.
According to Fadnavis, the unions had requested additional time to implement the mandatory Marathi knowledge requirement.
The Chief Minister accepted their request and granted them one more year to comply with the law.
He also said that no action will be taken against drivers for non-compliance during the extension period.
The extension is expected to provide relief to auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers who need additional time to meet the Marathi language requirement.
The move follows discussions between the state government and representatives of the transport sector over the practical implementation of the rule.
The government is expected to use the extended period to facilitate compliance and give drivers more time to acquire the required basic Marathi knowledge.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday distributed certificates to autorickshaw and taxi drivers who have completed their Marathi language proficiency course.
Shinde, while addressing a gathering of autorickshaw drivers in Borivali in North Mumbai, said that the autorickshaw operators cooperated and learnt Marathi out of their love for the state's primary language.
The Deputy Chief Minister also insisted that Marathi is a language that binds everyone and added that the 'janmanbhoomi' (birthplace) of migrant autorickshaw drivers may not be Maharashtra, but the state is their 'karmabhoomi' (place of work).
The Shiv Sena chief also said, "Autorickshaw and taxi drivers just need the working knowledge of Marathi to carry out day-to-day conversations."
