Maharashtra Won't Cancel Licences For Drivers Lacking Marathi Knowledge Immediately

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced on Tuesday that autorickshaw and taxi drivers who do not meet the state's Marathi language requirement will not face immediate licence cancellation. Instead, they will be given an opportunity to learn the language before any punitive action is taken.

The decision comes amid concerns from driver groups and political leaders, who feared that the amended motor vehicle rules would threaten the livelihood of drivers. Sarnaik clarified that the objective of the rules was to ensure that those providing passenger transport services in Maharashtra have a working knowledge of Marathi.

According to Sarnaik, nearly six lakh autorickshaw and taxi drivers, particularly those operating in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), will be covered under a Marathi-learning initiative. The state has around 9.16 lakh autorickshaws and 61,657 taxis.

Under the amended rules, drivers found lacking the required Marathi proficiency will first receive a notice giving them one month to acquire the necessary language skills. Failure to comply could lead to suspension of the relevant driving authorisation for three months, followed by possible revocation in case of continued non-compliance.

However, Sarnaik made it clear that licences or permits would not be cancelled immediately, signalling a more gradual approach to enforcement. The move had drawn concerns from sections of the transport sector, as a large number of drivers in Maharashtra come from other states.

Union Minister and Republican Party of India (A) chief Ramdas Athawale had also urged the government not to take immediate action, warning that strict enforcement could lead to disputes and affect drivers' livelihoods.

The Marathi-learning campaign launched a few months ago has already received a positive response, with 1,65,601 drivers from across Maharashtra coming forward to learn the language. The Transport Department will coordinate with the Marathi Language Department and other agencies to expand the initiative and help drivers comply with the language requirement.

The decision is expected to benefit a large number of drivers in the state, who will now have the opportunity to learn Marathi and continue providing their services without fear of licence cancellation. The initiative is also seen as a step towards promoting the use of Marathi language in the state.

In recent years, the Maharashtra government has taken several steps to promote the use of Marathi language, including making it a compulsory subject in schools and introducing it as a language option in government exams. The latest initiative is seen as a continuation of these efforts, aimed at promoting the use of Marathi language in the state.

The move is also expected to have a positive impact on the tourism industry in the state, as tourists will now be able to communicate more easily with autorickshaw and taxi drivers. Overall, the decision is seen as a positive step towards promoting the use of Marathi language and supporting the livelihood of drivers in the state.

The Maharashtra government's decision to give drivers a chance to learn Marathi before taking any action is a welcome move, as it will help to promote the use of the language while also supporting the livelihood of drivers. The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the state's transport sector and promote the use of Marathi language in the state.

In conclusion, the Maharashtra government's decision to not cancel licences for drivers lacking Marathi knowledge immediately is a positive step towards promoting the use of Marathi language and supporting the livelihood of drivers. The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the state's transport sector and promote the use of Marathi language in the state.