Maharashtra Gives Auto and Taxi Drivers One Year to Learn Functional Marathi

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers will be given a one-year period to learn functional Marathi, assuring that no action will be taken against them during this timeframe.

The decision was announced on Thursday following a meeting between the Chief Minister and representatives of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers' organisations, led by Haji Arfat Shaikh.

During the meeting, the union representatives expressed support for the state rule requiring commercial drivers to know basic Marathi. However, they explained that many drivers belong to varied age groups and completed their formal education years ago, making it difficult for them to pick up the language within a short timeframe.

The delegation requested that the state grant drivers a one-year extension to learn the language properly. Following the discussions, the state government accepted the demand.

Fadnavis confirmed that the government has agreed to the one-year window and reiterated that no punitive action will be taken against drivers who do not know the state's official language during this interim period.