Mumbai: Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra could now face serious consequences if they cannot speak basic Marathi. The state government is tightening its rules for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, making practical knowledge of Marathi an important requirement for continuing to hold a driving licence and operate legally.
The rule applies to auto-rickshaw drivers, taxi drivers, app based motor cab drivers and permit holders. However, drivers will not lose their licences immediately if they fail to meet the requirement.
Under the new system, a driver who cannot demonstrate basic conversational Marathi will first be given one month to learn the language. If the driver still fails to comply, the licence authorisation can be suspended for three months. Continued failure could eventually lead to permanent cancellation of the driving licence authorisation.
The Maharashtra government says the move is aimed at making communication between passengers and drivers easier. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has argued that drivers should be able to understand passengers, respond to their concerns and communicate in the local language when providing public transport services.
The government is also linking Marathi knowledge to certain permit requirements. Amendments to the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules make working knowledge of Marathi relevant to the granting and renewal of permits, with practical proficiency to be assessed by the transport authorities.
Officials have also pointed out that the language requirement is not completely new. The government has referred to provisions dating back to 1989, which required relevant transport operators to have knowledge of Marathi. The latest changes are intended to make those requirements clearer and strengthen their enforcement.
The move comes after months of checks and efforts to help drivers learn Marathi. Training programmes were organised for drivers who did not speak the language, with reports saying more than one lakh non Marathi speaking auto and taxi drivers completed a three month functional Marathi course.
The government had earlier given drivers time to improve their Marathi skills, with the learning window reported to run until August 15.
For drivers across Maharashtra, therefore, the message is becoming increasingly clear Marathi is no longer just a useful skill on the job. For some commercial drivers, it could now become a condition for keeping their licence and continuing to earn their livelihood on the road.
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