Marathi language rule: Action begins against non-compliant auto, taxi drivers in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said enforcement will begin against auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers lacking basic Marathi skills after the 105-day learning period ended. Drivers may face notices, licence suspension and eventual cancellation for continued non-compliance

Mumbai: Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra who have no functional knowledge of Marathi will now face direct enforcement action, including potential license suspension or cancellation. The Maharashtra State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Monday confirmed that the 105-day window granted to non-Marathi drivers to acquire basic language skills officially ended on August 15.

Responding to queries regarding the mandate, Minister Sarnaik explained that while a law requiring driver proficiency in Marathi has existed since 1989, it was rarely enforced. “I took a firm stand that drivers operating in the state must possess working knowledge of Marathi,” he stated.

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Addressing initial resistance from auto and taxi unions, the minister noted that discussions were held with prominent union leaders and politicians, including Haji Arafat Sheikh, Sanjay Nirupam, Kripashankar Singh, and Shashank Rao, to explain the government’s position. Following requests from unions to grant non-Marathi drivers adequate preparation time, 105 days were designated from May 1 to August 15.

The Transport Department collaborated with literary organisations, including the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad and the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh, to develop customised learning materials tailored specifically for drivers, said Minister Sarnaik.

“Literary figures and experts — such as Ujagare, Leena Mehendale, and Pravin Davne — curated an essential four-page booklet containing 18 to 20 key sentences commonly required in daily transport operations. Since the Transport Department lacked a specific budget allocation for language training, the Marathi Language Department provided a Rs 1 crore grant to the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh to facilitate the initiative,” said Minister Sarnaik.

He further added that over 11,00,000 drivers across the state received training through 160 operational branches and a network of 1,600 instructors. Drivers who completed the programme will receive QR code-verified certificates.

For drivers found lacking basic Marathi skills during enforcement checks, Minister Sarnaik said the department will implement a structured penalty framework. “The driver will be served a notice granting a one-month grace period to learn the language. If proficiency is demonstrated within this window, the license remains intact. Failure to learn Marathi within the one-month notice period will result in a three-month license suspension,” he informed.

Minister Sarnaik pointed out that continued non-compliance after the suspension period will lead to the permanent cancellation of the driving license. He added that language verification checks will also be mandatory during routine license renewals.

Dismissing allegations of political motivation behind the drive, Minister Sarnaik clarified that while certain political figures attempted to capitalise on the issue or halt the campaign, the state government’s position remains unchanged. “Enforcement action will commence as planned from August 18, and we will not back down,” the minister confirmed.