1 week ago
Navi Mumbai Drivers Receive Certificates As Marathi Rule Begins
The Maharashtra government wants public-transport drivers to know practical Marathi.
In Navi Mumbai, autorickshaw drivers took a Marathi communication test.
Drivers who passed received certificates on Sunday.
The test was held at the Regional Transport Office in Nerul.
Nearly 5,000 drivers have received training.
Officials said 3,855 passed and 647 failed.
Some drivers said the rule feels unfair in a city where people speak many languages.
A drivers’ union leader also asked officials to investigate alleged problems with autorickshaw badges.
Navi Mumbai’s RTO has begun implementing mandatory practical Marathi tests for autorickshaw and taxi drivers.
Certificates were distributed Sunday to autorickshaw drivers who passed a test held Saturday.
Of 4,984 trained autorickshaw drivers, 3,855 passed and 647 failed, according to an assistant transport officer.
Training centres operate in Koparkhairane, Digha, Vashi and at the Nerul RTO office.
Some drivers questioned why the requirement was being especially enforced on Hindi-speaking drivers, while a union leader sought an inquiry into alleged illegal badges.
- Who
- Navi Mumbai autorickshaw drivers, the Regional Transport Office, and transport officials are involved.
- What
- The RTO distributed certificates to drivers who passed a Marathi communication test as implementation of the language requirement began.
- Where
- The certificates were distributed at the Regional Transport Office in Nerul, Navi Mumbai.
- When
- Certificates were distributed Sunday after the test was held Saturday; no calendar date was provided.
- Why
- The Maharashtra government has made practical Marathi knowledge mandatory for autorickshaw and taxi drivers.
Supporters of the Marathi Requirement
Critics of the Requirement
Language requirement
Supporters of the Marathi Requirement
The government and officials are implementing the rule to ensure autorickshaw and taxi drivers have practical Marathi communication skills.
Critics of the Requirement
Some drivers said Marathi should be encouraged among everyone rather than imposed particularly on Hindi-speaking autorickshaw drivers.
Language use in Navi Mumbai
Supporters of the Marathi Requirement
Supporters are represented by the training and testing process being conducted for public-transport drivers.
Critics of the Requirement
One driver said Mumbai and Navi Mumbai are multilingual cities and that many passengers prefer speaking Hindi.
Autorickshaw badge oversight
Supporters of the Marathi Requirement
The transport authorities have been asked to examine the badge-issuance process.
Critics of the Requirement
Shiv Vahatuk Sena president Dilip Amle alleged an organised network was involved in illegal badges and misuse of 15-year domicile certificates, demanding an inquiry.
Key facts
- Drivers trained
- 4,984 autorickshaw drivers in Navi Mumbai
- Drivers who passed
- 3,855
- Drivers who failed
- 647
- Training locations
- Koparkhairane, Digha, Vashi and the Nerul RTO office
- Certificate title
- “Maharashtra Majha, Marathi Majhi Samvad Bhasha”
- Testing authority
- Regional Transport Office, Navi Mumbai
- Badge concern
- Shiv Vahatuk Sena alleged illegal badge issuance and misuse of 15-year domicile certificates, and requested an inquiry.
Quotes
An autorickshaw driver
A Hindi-speaking autorickshaw driver who questioned the selective enforcement of the Marathi requirement.
“We have come from Hindi-speaking regions, but we are certainly trying to communicate in Marathi as required by the government rules. However, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai are multilingual cities. Why should Marathi be made compulsory only for Hindi-speaking drivers?”
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Sources
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