Drivers of auto-rickshaws and taxis in Maharashtra who do not possess proficiency in the local language are now facing stringent measures from the state government. Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has announced that it has become mandatory for all non-Marathi speaking drivers to pass a functional Marathi language examination. Failure to do so by the designated deadline will result in the immediate cancellation of their driving licenses, effective from August 16.
Deadline set for August 15
The state transport department has established August 15 as the final cut-off date for all such drivers to acquire the necessary Marathi language skills. According to details shared by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, the government has already appointed approximately 450 instructors to facilitate this training process for the drivers. This initiative is designed to ensure that drivers are capable of functional communication with the public, thereby improving the overall quality of transportation services in the state.
RTO empowered for strict enforcement
Providing the legal context for this move, the minister cited Rules 4, 22, and 85 of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. Following the expiration of the set period, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has been granted the full authority to revoke the licenses of any driver who fails the mandatory language test. While previous policy only mandated a penalty of 500 rupees for similar violations, the revised provisions now authorize the authorities to cancel the licenses of those who fail to meet the Marathi language requirement.
Launch of bike taxi services in August
During the briefing, the transport minister also touched upon the rollout of bike taxi services, confirming that the service will officially commence operations in Maharashtra starting August 1. A social welfare component has been integrated into this new service to support drivers. A daily welfare cess of 5 rupees will be collected from each bike taxi, alongside an additional 2 percent surcharge on every ride fare. The revenue generated through these measures will be utilized exclusively for the welfare programs and social benefits of bike taxi operators. Furthermore, the minister reaffirmed that the government maintains a welcoming stance toward electric vehicles (EVs), emphasizing that officials will continue to actively promote their widespread adoption across the state to foster environmental sustainability.
