Maharashtra: No extension to August 15 deadline for taxi, auto drivers to learn Marathi

The Maharashtra government has proposed making a working knowledge of Marathi mandatory for taxi and autorickshaw drivers with failure to comply potentially leading to suspension or revocation of their licences news agency PTI reportedState Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik also ruled out any extension after the August 15 deadline for taxi and autorickshaw drivers to acquire basic proficiency in MarathiOpposition Shiv Sena UBT Spokesperson Sanjay Raut stressed the need for drivers to learn the local language while Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said that forcing someone to do so was wrongMarathi proficiency proposed as mandatory requirementUnder the proposed amendments to the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 drivers of motor cabs fitted with electronic meters will have to possess ldquoworking knowledge of Marathi languagerdquo according to a draft notification issued by the state government A copy of the notification was shared with the media by Sarnaikrsquos office on Wednesday reported PTIldquoWorking knowledge of the local language is necessary to communicate with passengers understand what they have to say and ensure safe and convenient travel This will enable more effective implementation of these rules in the futurerdquo Sarnaik saidAccording to the draft notification the licensing authority will issue a notice granting a driver one month to acquire the required working knowledge of Marathi if he or she is found lacking itThe proposed amendments are being introduced through the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Amendment Rules 2026 which seek to amend the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 They cover drivers and permit holders of autorickshaws taxis and appbased motor cabs fitted with electronic metersUnder the proposed amendment applicants for the relevant authorisation will be required to have ldquoworking knowledge of Marathi languagerdquo in addition to other prescribed qualifications The amendment proposes inserting the phrase among the requirements relating to ldquoantecedentsrdquo under the relevant provision of the rulesNoncompliance could lead to suspension revocationFailure to comply with the requirement within the stipulated period may lead to suspension of the authorisation on the driverrsquos licence for up to three months Continued noncompliance may subsequently result in revocation of the authorisation according to the draft notificationThe driver will however be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard before the authorisation is revoked it stated the news agency reportedThe requirement will also apply to the renewal of such permits with permit holders required to demonstrate the requisite Marathi proficiency to the satisfaction of the competent authority according to the draft notificationThe amendments would remove ambiguity in the rules and make the importance of practical Marathi for passenger vehicle drivers clearer a release from Sarnaikrsquos office saidA senior official of the state transport department told PTI that the draft notification is ready for issuance after being cleared by the Law and Judiciary DepartmentThe Home Department will issue the final notification under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act the official saidNo extension of August 15 deadlineEarlier on Wednesday Sarnaik said the government would not extend the August 15 deadline for nonMarathispeaking taxi and autorickshaw drivers to learn MarathildquoMarathi is the language of Maharashtra and drivers providing public transport services here should have basic functional knowledge of the language We have given them sufficient time to learn Marathi From August 15 functional Marathi will be mandatory for taxi and autorickshaw drivers in Maharashtrardquo the minister told PTIOn August 17 Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will present certificates to hundreds of autorickshaw drivers who have completed the Marathi training course organised by the government he saidSanjay Raut backs Marathi language mandateRaut came out in support of the Marathi language mandateldquoWherever you go it is necessary to learn the local language You can do your business well if you know Marathi We havenrsquot asked you to leave But learn the languagerdquo the Rajya Sabha member saidVijay Wadettiwar opposes compulsory approachSpeaking to reporters in Nagpur senior Congress leader Wadettiwar said ldquoIt is important to know the language of the state in which you are driving your vehicle But at the same time it shouldnrsquot be forced on themrdquoldquoThere is no need to stretch the issue The government should not create a controversy over the issue of language Marathi should be learned That is fine But when we talk about Marathi pride many leaders in Maharashtra have admitted their children in Englishmedium schools So the issue should not be used for political mileagerdquo he addedldquoLearning a language becomes an asset it helps you Learning Marathi is not wrong but making it binding on someone and imposing it as an obligation is wrongrdquo said WadettiwarAbu Azmi calls deadline lsquogreat injusticersquoSamajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi also lashed out at the government over the August 15 deadline mandating taxi and autorickshaw drivers to learn Marathi claiming that it would be a ldquogreat injusticerdquo and slow down Mumbairsquos paceAzmi alleged that the governmentrsquos decision was politically motivatedThe legislator from Mumbai suggested adopting a gradual approach so that drivers could learn the language over one to three years He also said he had spoken to the CM about the issueWith PTI inputs