Fadnavis Gives Maharashtra Auto, Taxi Drivers One-Year Grace Period for Marathi Test

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a one-year grace period for auto and taxi drivers across the state to acquire working knowledge of Marathi, halting punitive action under an ongoing language compliance drive.

The reprieve came after the state transport department, headed by Shiv Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik, launched statewide inspections and issued notices to more than 4,000 commercial drivers who failed Marathi proficiency tests.

Fadnavis stated that no punitive action would be taken against drivers during the one-year period. He announced that the state government will organise Marathi classes and provide study material to assist drivers with commonly used phrases for daily interactions with passengers.

The decision was made following a meeting in Mumbai with representatives of auto and taxi associations led by BJP transport union leader Haji Arfat Shaikh. Fadnavis said drivers supported the requirement of basic communication in Marathi with commuters, but requested more time because many belonged to different age groups and had left formal education years ago.

The state government had initially introduced the Marathi language requirement in April, setting a deadline of August 15 for non-Marathi-speaking drivers to learn basic language skills. Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), transport authorities, and literary organisations subsequently held training programmes.

Enforcement intensified on August 20, when 1,268 commercial passenger vehicle drivers were served notices on the first day of checks. Across the state, 58 RTOs ultimately issued notices to more than 4,000 drivers who failed the test. Under the previous guidelines, drivers were given one month to re-take the test or face a three-month suspension of their badges.