Marathi compulsory for auto and taxi drivers in Maharashtra, Transport Minister says they will get a chance to learn the language:State government minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Tuesday that the Maharashtra Transport Department will launch a special verification drive from May 1 to August 15 to ensure that the state.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Learning Marathi will be mandatory for auto and taxi drivers in Maharashtra, although licensed auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers have been given a reprieve. The government has put on hold the rule that would immediately cancel licenses for not knowing Marathi.

The Maharashtra Transport Department will launch a special verification drive from May 1 to August 15 to ensure effective implementation of the decision to make Marathi compulsory for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state, state government minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Tuesday.

The minister clarified that the rule making Marathi compulsory for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers is being implemented, but instead of immediately cancelling the licenses, the emphasis will be on training the drivers to teach Marathi.

He said strict action would be taken against those violating the rules. He also said that representatives of auto and taxi unions have fully supported the decision.

The campaign drive will be conducted in all 59 Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) of the state under the supervision of a committee headed by Additional Transport Commissioner Ravindra Gaikwad.

Drivers will be provided with facilities at RTO offices to learn Marathi. Drivers who complete the training will be issued certificates by the state government, which will be required for license renewal. A report on the 100-day campaign will be presented on August 16, based on which decisions will be made.

The minister said, "Speaking Marathi is mandatory. While permits won't be revoked for not knowing Marathi at this stage, the campaign will continue. We are providing drivers with the necessary resources to learn Marathi." He reiterated that the campaign's goal is not to take away livelihoods, but to identify and train non-Marathi-speaking drivers.

The Marathi language is being made mandatory through a draft amendment to the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Knowledge of the Marathi language will now be required for renewal of motor cab permits and licenses.