Navi Mumbai Autorickshaw Drivers Get Marathi Test Certificates

The Maharashtra government's decision to make practical knowledge of Marathi mandatory for autorickshaw and taxi drivers has started to take effect in Navi Mumbai. On Sunday, certificates were distributed to autorickshaw drivers who cleared the Marathi communication test conducted by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) on Saturday.

The certificates, titled 'Maharashtra Majha, Marathi Majhi Samvad Bhasha', were presented to the drivers in the presence of RTO officials and office-bearers of the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad. The drivers had gathered outside the RTO office in Nerul from around 11am on Sunday to collect their certificates.

According to Dattatray Sangolkar, assistant transport officer, Navi Mumbai, a total of 4,984 autorickshaw drivers in the city have undergone Marathi language training. Of these, 3,855 have cleared the test, while 647 have failed. The Marathi language training was conducted at centres established in Koparkhairane, Digha, Vashi, and the RTO office in Nerul.

While many drivers welcomed the initiative, some questioned the need for making Marathi compulsory, especially for Hindi-speaking drivers. One driver pointed out that Mumbai and Navi Mumbai are multilingual cities, and that Marathi should be encouraged among all citizens, rather than being imposed only on autorickshaw drivers.

The president of Shiv Vahatuk Sena, Dilip Amle, also raised concerns about the alleged issuance of illegal autorickshaw badges and the misuse of 15-year domicile certificates required for obtaining them. He demanded an inquiry into the matter, alleging that an organised network was involved in the process.

The distribution of certificates marks another step in the implementation of the Marathi language requirement for public transport drivers in Navi Mumbai. The move is aimed at promoting the use of Marathi among autorickshaw and taxi drivers in the city.

The Marathi language training programme is part of the Maharashtra government's efforts to promote the use of the language in the state. The government had announced earlier that autorickshaw and taxi drivers would be required to have practical knowledge of Marathi in order to operate their vehicles.

The implementation of the Marathi language requirement is expected to have a significant impact on the city's autorickshaw and taxi drivers. While some drivers have welcomed the move, others have expressed concerns about the practicality of the requirement.

In conclusion, the distribution of Marathi test certificates to autorickshaw drivers in Navi Mumbai marks an important step in the implementation of the Maharashtra government's language policy. The move is aimed at promoting the use of Marathi among autorickshaw and taxi drivers in the city, and is expected to have a significant impact on the city's public transport sector.

The success of the Marathi language training programme will depend on the ability of the autorickshaw and taxi drivers to communicate effectively with their passengers in Marathi. The programme is expected to improve the overall quality of service provided by autorickshaw and taxi drivers in the city, and to promote the use of Marathi among all citizens.

Overall, the implementation of the Marathi language requirement for autorickshaw and taxi drivers in Navi Mumbai is a significant development that is expected to have a positive impact on the city's public transport sector. The move is aimed at promoting the use of Marathi among all citizens, and is expected to improve the overall quality of service provided by autorickshaw and taxi drivers in the city.