In a significant shift, the Maharashtra government has decided to postpone immediate punitive action against auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers for not being proficient in Marathi. The state’s Transport Minister, Pratap Sarnaik, announced that the drive, initially set to enforce the Marathi language mandate from May 1, would now focus on awareness and training until August 15. This decision comes after considerable backlash from driver unions and concerns raised about potential license cancellations.
The government had initially mandated that all licensed auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra must know Marathi from May 1, with drivers facing license cancellation if they failed to demonstrate proficiency. This rule, intended to improve communication between drivers and passengers, faced opposition from a section of drivers who requested more time to learn the language. Driver unions had sought extensions ranging from three months to a year, leading to discussions with the transport department.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik indicated that while the mandate for drivers to speak Marathi remains firm, the period from May 1 to August 15 will serve as an inspection and awareness phase. During this time, permits and licenses will be scrutinized, and drivers will be provided with resources and space at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) to learn Marathi. The minister emphasized that the goal is to identify non-Marathi speakers and guide them towards training rather than immediately revoking their livelihoods. A decision on any further extensions beyond August 15 will be made after a review meeting with senior transport officials.
The move to make Marathi mandatory has been a recurring theme, with a similar directive being issued in 2020. However, legal challenges in the past have also arisen. In 2017, the Bombay High Court had set aside a similar decision requiring Marathi proficiency for auto-rickshaw permits, citing a lack of statutory power. The court had noted that auto-rickshaws fall under ‘motor cabs,’ which were exempt from such language requirements for badges. The government’s current stance suggests an intention to enforce the rule through a more structured and less punitive approach, acknowledging the practical challenges faced by drivers who may hail from non-Marathi speaking regions.
Discussions around the mandate have also involved various political stakeholders, with leaders from different parties offering their perspectives. While some have supported the government’s aim to promote the state language, others have echoed the unions’ requests for a more extended implementation period. The Maharashtra government’s revised approach aims to balance the promotion of Marathi with the economic realities of drivers operating in the state.
The initial announcement had created a stir, particularly as many auto and taxi drivers in cities like Mumbai operate in the metropolitan region and might not be native Marathi speakers, with a significant number often coming from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The driver unions had expressed concerns that immediate license cancellations would severely impact their ability to earn a livelihood. The government’s current decision to defer punitive action until mid-August appears to be a response to these concerns, aiming to facilitate a smoother transition for drivers to comply with the language requirement.
The transport department has stated that while direct action like permit cancellation will be avoided during the initial phase, the verification drive will proceed. This drive is intended to survey drivers and identify those needing language assistance. The government has also indicated that drivers will be issued guidebooks, originally developed in 2020, to aid their learning process. Committees will be formed between August 1 and August 15 to assess the progress of drivers in acquiring conversational Marathi skills. The ultimate goal is to ensure drivers can communicate effectively in Marathi while minimizing disruption to their work.
The transport minister reiterated that while speaking Marathi is essential, the immediate focus would be on practical communication rather than academic proficiency. This nuanced approach seeks to address the concerns raised by driver unions and provide a more practical pathway for compliance, acknowledging that many drivers have been operating in Maharashtra for years without being mandatory language speakers. The government’s commitment to enforcing the Marathi language mandate is thus being implemented through a phased approach, emphasizing training and awareness over immediate penalties. The final decision on any further extensions or specific actions post-August 15 will be determined after further review and consultations.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
