Pune RTO Issues Notices to 53 Drivers Before Marathi Deadline Extension

The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) had issued notices to 53 autorickshaw and taxi drivers after finding that they did not have knowledge of Marathi during inspections conducted between August 20 and 27.

According to Pune RTO data, officials inspected 1,376 autorickshaws and taxis during the seven-day period. Of these, 53 drivers were found to have no knowledge of Marathi, and notices were issued to all 53. No driving or permit badges were suspended during the period.

The action came amid the state government’s earlier decision requiring non-Marathi-speaking autorickshaw and taxi drivers to acquire basic proficiency in Marathi. The government had initially fixed August 15 as the deadline for drivers to attain the required language proficiency.

However, the state government has now relaxed the timeline and granted drivers one year to acquire functional Marathi, effectively halting punitive action during this period. Marathi classes and study material will be provided to help migrant drivers learn the language.

The decision was announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after a delegation of autorickshaw and taxi driver representatives met him and sought a one-year extension.

“Drivers have come forward and are willing to learn. Therefore, it was necessary to give them time,” Fadnavis said, adding that no action would be taken against them during the one-year period.

Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court on Saturday also disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the Marathi language requirement for obtaining permits after the Maharashtra government informed the court that autorickshaw, taxi and cab drivers would be given one year to acquire a working knowledge of Marathi.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad was hearing the PIL filed by four Uber drivers challenging the requirement. The court took note of the government’s decision and recorded the statement made by Additional Government Pleader Jyoti Chavan that the Transport Minister had confirmed the one-year period.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde praised Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik for implementing the initiative, claiming that around 1.60 lakh non-Marathi-speaking people had learnt Marathi through the initiative.

Archana Gaikwad, Regional Transport Officer, Pune, told that the government had announced in April that non-Marathi-speaking drivers would have to attain basic proficiency in Marathi.

The decision to extend the deadline is expected to benefit thousands of autorickshaw and taxi drivers in the state who are not proficient in Marathi. With the one-year extension, drivers will have ample time to learn the language and avoid any punitive action.

The Maharashtra government’s decision to grant a one-year extension to non-Marathi-speaking drivers to learn the language is a significant move, as it will help to promote the use of Marathi in the state. The decision is also expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of thousands of autorickshaw and taxi drivers who depend on their permits to earn a living.

In conclusion, the Pune RTO’s decision to issue notices to non-Marathi-speaking drivers has been halted after the state government announced a one-year extension to learn the language. The decision is a significant move, as it will help to promote the use of Marathi in the state and benefit thousands of autorickshaw and taxi drivers.