Maharashtra RTO offices begin drive to check auto, taxi drivers' Marathi knowledge

MUMBAI: Regional Transport Offices throughout Maharashtra on Thursday rolled out a drive to check taxi and autorickshaw drivers' working knowledge of Marathi, with teams ordered to videograph the exercise, authorities remarked.

Key points

• According to Sarnaik, the requirement of practical Marathi knowledge for operating autos and taxis has existed in Maharashtra since 1989 but had not been strictly enforced.
• He remarked 1.65 lakh drivers had already undergone Marathi training and been issued certificates during a 105-day campaign.
• The drive is being conducted under the Motor Vehicle rules notified on August 12.
• While RTO flying squads have been instructed to conduct checks, stated authorities, extra Transport Commissioner Ravi Gaikwad will oversee the statewide drive.
• The provision will now be implemented strictly under a relevant legal amendment created on August 12.

For context, the drive is being conducted under the Motor Vehicle rules notified on August 12. It require these public transport drivers to have working knowledge of Marathi, remarked office-holders.

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday confirmed a month-long drive to check the Marathi language proficiency of drivers throughout the state and directed RTOs to videograph the process.

According to Sarnaik has, drivers identified lacking in the required proficiency would initially be given an opportunity to learn the language.

Maharashtra CM Fadnavis defends mandatory Marathi for drivers from May 1 If they fail to comply, their licence and badge would be suspended for three months, and continued non-compliance could lead to cancellation of the licence and badge, he remarked on Wednesday.

According to The minister, the administration does not intend to affect anyone's livelihood but wants to ensure that Marathi language and the state's identity and culture are preserved.

He remarked 1.65 lakh drivers had already undergone Marathi training and been issued certificates during a 105-day campaign. It received a good response.

According to A senior official from Tardeo RTO in Mumbai, flying squads have additionally been directed to take action as per the directive received from the transport commissioner's office a day before.

Another officer from the Andheri RTO office informed PTI that they have additionally began checking autorickshaw and taxi drivers' knowledge of Marathi when they come to renew the fitness certificates of their vehicles.

Transport unions have, nevertheless, cautioned of an agitation if drivers face financial hardship or are allegedly exploited during enforcement of the rule.

In practice, the provision will now be implemented strictly under a relevant legal amendment created on August 12.

For now, maharashtra RTO offices begin drive to check auto, taxi drivers' Marathi knowledge remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.