The Maharashtra Transport Department has served notices to 777 drivers for lacking practical knowledge of Marathi, as part of a statewide inspection campaign.
The Maharashtra Transport Department has issued notices to 777 drivers for lacking practical knowledge of Marathi. According to unidentified officials quoted by The Hindu on Saturday, this action was taken during a statewide inspection campaign that began on August 20. In total, 5,211 drivers were tested, with 3,942 in Mumbai. On the third day of the campaign, drivers found to lack functional knowledge of Marathi were served notices and given one month to learn the language. The inspection campaign was initiated after the August 15 deadline for taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers to acquire functional knowledge of Marathi had expired. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik stated that drivers are being given sufficient time to learn Marathi, and warned of strict action against those who do not comply by the given deadline. On April 14, the state government made it mandatory for all licensed taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers to have a basic knowledge of Marathi from May 1. However, on April 29, this decision was deferred until August 15. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik had previously stated that licences of taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers who fail to clear a Marathi language test will be cancelled from August 16. On August 12, he added that the Marathi language requirement will also apply to those working with Ola, Uber, and Rapido. The Regional Transport Office has deployed marshals to conduct exams on roads, rickshaw stands, and junctions, with questions such as 'Where do you want to go?', 'Please start the meter', and 'Do you have change?' being asked.
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