Mumbai, Aug 19 (PTI) Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam on Wednesday sought additional time for autorickshaw and taxi drivers to learn Marathi as the Maharashtra government is set to implement the “working knowledge” of language drive from Thursday.
Requesting Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik to take a “liberal view” as drivers have to support their families, Nirupam said they should not be threatened or intimidated.
He claimed that allowing Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials to test drivers’ proficiency in Marathi could create another avenue for corruption and harassment.
“The government should not threaten them or create an atmosphere of confrontation. They are already worried about their livelihood,” said Nirupam, the north Indian face of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Mumbai.
The former MP claimed that Sarnaik has agreed to take a liberal view on the issue following his request.
Earlier in the day, Sarnaik said the entire process of verifying knowledge of the Marathi language while issuing new badges to auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers will be videographed from Thursday.
The measure was aimed at ensuring transparency in the implementation of the amended motor vehicle rules, making “working knowledge” of Marathi mandatory for such drivers.
The minister has also directed officials of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to record videos when they test the drivers’ working knowledge during the special drive that will start on Thursday.
In April, the government announced that all commercial passenger vehicle drivers in Maharashtra must have a working knowledge of Marathi. Later, a three-month Marathi learning initiative was launched, which concluded on August 15.
Unions have claimed that the government’s “working knowledge of Marathi” requirement is ambiguous and left auto and taxi drivers anxious about a potential loss of livelihood.
“The government should not threaten them or create an atmosphere of confrontation. They are already worried about their livelihood. The initiative should be promoted and taken forward,” Nirupam added.
He said Marathi is the language of “bhakti” and not of “shakti” (force).
Nirupam said Shiv Sena’s ideology is to promote Marathi and the language must be given a priority; however, the government should not antagonise people during enforcement of rules.
Under the recently amended state motor vehicle rules, drivers face a one-month notice to acquire a “working knowledge” of Marathi. Failure to do so can result in a three-month license suspension and the eventual cancellation of their operating permits.
“From tomorrow, the process of issuing taxi and auto-rickshaw badges will be video recorded,” Sarnaik said.
Transport officials have been directed to strictly follow the prescribed procedure while conducting the Marathi language verification, he said.
Sarnaik announced that a drive will begin on Thursday to act against auto‑rickshaw and taxi drivers without a “working knowledge” of Marathi.
Action will be initiated against those who do not possess the required certificate or working knowledge of Marathi. Notices will first be issued, and if compliance is not achieved, the driver’s licence and badge may be suspended for three months, he said.
“If someone fails to do so even after three months, orders will be issued for cancellation of their licence and badge,” Sarnaik said. PTI PR NSK
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