The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced that Marathi will be mandatory for all licensed auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in state from May 1.
The mandatory rule comes into effect from May 1 which is observed as Maharashtra Day, officials said.
The decision was announced by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.
An official statement said that the state transport department will carry out a special inspection drive through 59 regional and sub-regional offices.
Officials will check whether drivers can read and write Marathi. Those who fail to meet the requirement may face cancellation of their licences.
Rule already exists
According to Sarnaik, knowledge of the local language has always been a rule while issuing licences to drivers. However, complaints have increased in recent years, especially in cities such as Mumbai, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Passengers have reported that many drivers are unable or unwilling to communicate in Marathi.
Emphasis on respect for language
Sarnaik said that learning the local language is a responsibility for anyone working in a particular region.
He added that while people should take pride in their mother tongue, they must also respect and learn the language of the state where they earn their livelihood.
Strict action for non-compliance
The government has warned that the drivers who do not comply with the rule will have their licences cancelled, the statement said.
It said that the transport officials who issue licences without proper checks may also face strict action.
“The move aims to improve communication between drivers and passengers and promote the use of Marathi in daily life,” the officials said.
Marathi mandatory for all school boards in Maharashtra
Meanwhile, in a similar move last month, school education minister Dada Bhuse had in March asserted that all school boards in Maharashtra will be required to conduct Marathi examinations and appoint teachers to teach the local language as a subject.
He had reiterated that Marathi is compulsory for all school boards (IG, Cambridge, ICSE, and CBSE) and action will be taken against those flouting the norms.
BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, along with a few other members, had claimed that several major educational institutions, particularly those running international and non-SSC board curriculum, are not teaching Marathi even though under the latest rules, teaching the state’s local language is mandatory for all educational boards.
Responding, Bhuse asked legislators to provide specific cases so that an inquiry can be conducted and appropriate action can be taken against the erring educational institution. As members pressed for stronger enforcement of Marathi in schools, the minister had stated that under the latest rules, teaching the state’s local language is mandatory for all educational boards in Maharashtra.
