Maharashtra: CM Fadnavis Gives 1-Year Time To Auto-Taxi Drivers To Learn Marathi; No Action During Period

Mumbai: In response to the ongoing Marathi language controversy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday that auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra will be granted an additional year to learn the language. This decision was met with relief by drivers, following days of protests and a stir across the state.

Speaking to the media, Fadnavis stated that no action would be taken against drivers during this one-year period. He acknowledged that drivers of various age groups required more time to acquire Marathi skills and accepted their demand for an extra year to meet the language requirement. The government accepted the drivers' request, and there will be no action taken against them during this period, Fadnavis explained.

The decision followed Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik's directive to ensure taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers had a basic understanding of Marathi. Sarnaik had proposed that drivers failing to demonstrate Marathi proficiency could face the suspension of their authorisation badges, initially for a month. Should they still fail to meet the requirement, their badges could be eventually cancelled in accordance with amended rules.

Drivers had protested the language requirement, arguing that they needed more time to learn Marathi. Several staged demonstrations, asserting that the language demand and the proposed disciplinary actions were unfair.