Marathi mandatory for drivers: There will be no language-based injustice, says CM Fadnavis

CM Fadnavis said that the Mahayuti govt would not allow anyone to face injustice because of their language. File Pic

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the state's Marathi language requirement for autorickshaw, taxi and cab drivers was aimed at ensuring they have a working knowledge of Marathi, and not at making Hindi-speaking drivers experts in the language.

CM Fadnavis said the government would ensure that no one faced discrimination or injustice on the basis of language.

Speaking on the issue, CM Fadnavis said, "We are not trying to make our Hindi-speaking brothers experts in the Marathi language, but they should have working knowledge of the language."

He said efforts were being made to help drivers learn Marathi and understand the language sufficiently to communicate with passengers.

Deadline extended three times

The Maharashtra Chief Minister said the deadline given to drivers to learn Marathi had already been extended three times.

The government has been working to ensure that drivers who do not have adequate knowledge of Marathi are given an opportunity to learn the language before action is taken against them.

The issue has triggered debate among autorickshaw, taxi and cab drivers, particularly those who are not Marathi speakers.

‘No injustice based on language'

CM Fadnavis said that the Mahayuti government would not allow anyone to face injustice because of their language.

The government's position comes amid discussions over enforcement of the Marathi language requirement for commercial passenger vehicle drivers across Maharashtra.

The authorities have also been encouraging non-Marathi-speaking drivers to attend Marathi language classes to meet the requirement.

Focus on communication with passengers

The requirement is intended to ensure that drivers have sufficient Marathi language skills to communicate with passengers, rather than demanding advanced proficiency, according to the Chief Minister.

The clarification comes amid concerns among sections of the driving community over possible penalties and regulatory action linked to the Marathi requirement.

RTO officials to face action over wrongful fines: Sarnaik

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Monday warned of action against Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials found to be wrongly fining autorickshaw and taxi drivers for not meeting the Marathi language requirement before the one-month deadline to learn the language expires, reported the PTI.

Sarnaik stated that the August 12 government resolution states that RTO officials must issue a one-month notice to autorickshaw and taxi drivers who do not have a working knowledge of Marathi, giving them time to learn the language.

(with ANI and PTI inputs)