Kumar Bahukhandi
The Maharashtra Transport Department has announced that auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state must learn Marathi by August 15. (Representational file image: PTI)
To help non-Marathi-speaking drivers learn the language, the state government will set up Marathi language study centres at rickshaw union offices and Shiv Sena shakhas across the state
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Transport Department has announced that auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state must learn Marathi by August 15. The government warned that no extension will be granted beyond the deadline and violators will face legal action. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik chaired a meeting at Mantralaya with senior officials, including .
Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, to discuss Marathi language training for drivers. To help non-Marathi-speaking drivers learn the language, the state government will set up Marathi language study centres at rickshaw union offices and Shiv Sena shakhas across the state. Classes will begin on June 1.
According to the Transport Department, assistance is being taken from Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad and Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh to establish the study centres.
Speaking to the media, . Sarnaik said the department has invited several senior North Indian leaders, including Kripashankar Singh and Sanjay Nirupam, for a meeting on Monday to discuss the roadmap for teaching Marathi to non-Marathi-speaking drivers.
A four-hour course has been prepared for non-Marathi-speaking drivers. We will start Marathi classes from June 1. Before that, we will hold discussions with leaders of auto and taxi unions to finalise venues for the classes. We have offered our party office spaces for conducting classes on Saturdays and Sundays,” he said.
According to the minister, there are around one lakh non-Marathi-speaking auto and taxi drivers in the state. “I expect around 50,000 drivers to attend the Marathi language classes,” he added.
Kripashankar Singh, former minister and BJP leader, said they would support the state government’s initiative. “If we do not learn Marathi, it will be our loss,” he said. .
Sarnaik said around 4,000 teachers from Konkan Sahitya Parishad would be roped in to train the drivers. Drivers will be required to complete at least four hours of weekend training at their convenience. Some teachers will offer voluntary services, while others will receive an honorarium of ₹1,000 per hour.
Drivers who successfully complete the training will receive certificates from the Transport Department after an oral assessment of their Marathi communication skills.
Sarnaik also spoke with Maharashtra Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant seeking a financial provision of ₹2 crore for the programme. Officials said Mr. Samant has directed authorities to prepare a proposal to support honorarium expenses for the Marathi language training initiative.
