Maharashtra: 'Practical Marathi' mandatory for rickshaw, taxi drivers

Maha Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik to meet taxi and rickshaw unions to discuss making 'practical Marathi' mandatory for drivers. The state plans to begin verification of documents and Marathi language proficiency from May 1.

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has called a meeting with representatives of various rickshaw and taxi drivers' associations, including labour leaders Sanjay Nirupam and Shashank Sharad Rao, to discuss the implementation of making "practical Marathi" mandatory for all commercial passenger vehicle drivers in the state. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 12:30 pm on Monday at the minister's chamber and will be attended by Sanjay Nirupam, Shashank Sharad Rao, and other union leaders representing transport workers.

This comes after the state Transport Minister earlier this month announced that knowledge of the Marathi language would be made compulsory for drivers of auto-rickshaws and taxis across Maharashtra. As part of the proposed move, the state government plans to begin verification of documents as well as drivers' Marathi language proficiency from May 1.

Promoting Marathi Through Training and Consultation

Earlier on April 23, Sarnaik reflected on the attempts being made to "promote and propagate Marathi" among the auto rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state, adding that a meeting will be held with the trade union leader on April 28. The State Transport Minister said that the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh will be teaching Marathi to the taxi drivers, while the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad will also jointly teach Marathi in the Konkan region.

"The Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh has taken up the responsibility of teaching Marathi to auto rickshaw drivers and taxi drivers in their various branches across the state. This will promote and propagate Marathi. The Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad will also jointly teach Marathi in the Konkan region," he said during PC.

He further stated that a meeting with several union leaders will be held to take suggestions on the matter. "A meeting will be held with Shashank Rao (Trade Union Leader- Auto Rickshaws and Taxi Drivers) on April 28th. We will meet with several union leaders to discuss their views. We will listen to them and present our own. If there are any suggestions, we will implement them," Sarnaik said.

Verification Drive to Begin May 1

Additionally, Sarnaik, emphasising the need to learn spoken Marathi, reiterated that a campaign to check fake documents and the language skills of the auto and taxi drivers will be launched from May 1. "Starting May 1, there will be a campaign to check any fake documents and the language skills of auto rickshaw drivers and taxi drivers to determine if they know spoken Marathi. Writing in Marathi is not required; one should simply understand and speak the language," the Transport Minister said.

Transport Minister Sarnaik warned that action will be taken against those who do not follow the rules after checking by May 1. Drivers will be required to show they can read, write, and speak Marathi as part of the new initiative. This pilot project aims to tackle irregularities in issuing transport licences and will be rolled out statewide over time.

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