US EditionNo Mandatory Marathi Drive on May 1; Focus Shifts to Learning the Language
The government will train drivers in Marathi while a special verification drive checks permits and licences for duplication and fake documents.
- On Monday, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik met with auto and taxi driver unions to discuss the mandatory Marathi rule, indicating the government may delay the May 1 implementation deadline.
- Triggering union backlash, the government's earlier announcement requiring Marathi for auto drivers by May 1 prompted many to request extensions for language proficiency and prompted threats of statewide agitation.
- Unions requested extensions of three to six months or one year, agreeing on "functional Marathi" but opposing reading and writing tests. Labour leader Shashank Rao said, "Many drivers are not formally educated."
- Sarnaik scheduled a final review meeting with RTOs for Tuesday, while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government decided to hold the mandate for six months with driver verification continuing.
- All 59 RTOs will conduct a special drive to curb malpractice and ensure genuine drivers are not disadvantaged, as officials aim to foster affinity for Marathi rather than use punitive enforcement.
15 Articles
15 Articles
No mandatory Marathi drive on May 1; focus shifts to learning the language
The meeting was attended by former MP Sanjay Nirupam, who had urged the government to defer the drive, Shashank Sharad Rao, president of Autorickshaw Chalak Malak Sanghatana Sanyukt Kruti Samiti Maharashtra (ACMSSKSM), Haji Arafat Shaikh, from Shiv Vahatuk Sanghatana, among other union leaders
Maharashtra govt holds decision to make Marathi mandatory for auto, taxi drivers for six months
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government on Monday decided to hold its decision to make Marathi mandatory for auto and taxi drives in the state for six months. However, the verification of the drives will continue, the government said. This comes amid the backlash against the government's order and calls to extend the deadline of making the language compulsory till May 1. What was the Maharashtra government's order? Earlier t…
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