Maharashtra transport minister defends rule mandating Marathi language rule for cab, auto drivers; here's what he said
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Tuesday said the state would take action against cab and auto-rickshaw drivers who do not have a working knowledge of Marathi. This comes days after the state amended a law to mandate working knowledge of the local language.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has defended a new rule mandating Marathi language proficiency for cab and autorickshaw drivers in the state. Speaking to ANI, Sarnaik stated that the government would take action against those who do not learn Marathi, adding that more than 165,000 individuals have already acquired the language.
He emphasized that the government wants drivers to be able to communicate with the public, and non-compliance may result in suspended licenses. The state Transport Department recently amended the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, to make Marathi proficiency mandatory for drivers, with consequences for those who fail to meet the requirement within a month.
Critics argue that the rule infringes on drivers' rights and could negatively impact Mumbai's progress.
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