Sarnaik Warns RTO Officials Against Fining Drivers Before Marathi Deadline

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has warned of action against Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials who are found to be wrongly fining autorickshaw and taxi drivers over Marathi language requirements before the permitted learning period expires.

Speaking on the matter in Mumbai, the minister clarified that an official government resolution issued on August 12 outlines specific procedures that transport authorities are required to follow before penalising commercial drivers.

Under the August 12 government resolution, RTO officials are mandated to first issue a one-month notice to autorickshaw and taxi drivers who do not possess a working knowledge of Marathi. This official notice period is meant to give drivers adequate time to learn the language.

Sarnaik stated that any RTO personnel found enforcing penalties or issuing fines against drivers before the mandatory one-month deadline has lapsed will face disciplinary action for violating the state resolution.