The State authorities had introduced in April that non-Marathi drivers should have fundamental proficiency within the language.
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday introduced that the federal government has determined to provide autorickshaw and taxi drivers one yr to study “practical Marathi”.
The Chief Minister made the announcement after a delegation of representatives of autorickshaw and taxi drivers, led by Haji Arfat Shaikh, met him.
“They requested one yr’s time. The State authorities has accepted their demand. No motion will likely be taken in opposition to the throughout this era. Marathi lessons will likely be organised and examine materials will likely be supplied to assist migrant drivers study practical Marathi. They’ve come ahead and are keen to study. Subsequently, it was essential to provide them time,” Mr. Fadnavis stated.
Going through backlash
The transfer comes days after the Transport Division headed by Shiv Sena Minister Pratap Sarnaik carried out a checking drive and issued notices to drivers who failed a Marathi check.
The State authorities confronted backlash by a piece of drivers, particularly forward of the 2027 Meeting election in Bharatiya Janata Occasion-ruled Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra hosts a big workforce from U.P. throughout main financial hubs like Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik.
Mr. Fadnavis stated the representatives shared the considerations of drivers. “They help the choice to study practical Marathi, however stated individuals of various age teams are within the career. Lots of them left research years in the past. In such a brief span, it’s troublesome for them to study the language. They’ve made an elaborate plan to study practical Marathi in a single yr. So, the State authorities will assist them study it,” he stated.
The federal government had introduced in April that non-Marathi drivers should attain fundamental proficiency within the State’s official language and set August 15 because the deadline. Marathi lessons had been then organised for the drivers within the interim interval.
In the meantime, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde lauded Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik for the bid to convey and implement the choice. He stated that 1.60 lakh non-Marathi individuals learnt the language due to this initiative. He additionally stated that 15,000 to twenty,000 auto and taxi drivers had been licensed in Mumbai alone.
Printed – August 28, 2026 02:05 am IST
