1 week ago
Sixteen Marathi Training Centres Reopen Amid Driver Language Protests
The government wants auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to know basic Marathi.
Many drivers said they need more time to learn the language.
After protests and requests from drivers, 16 training centres will reopen in the Mumbai region.
There are 48 centres in total, but only 16 are being reopened.
Officials are checking drivers’ Marathi skills until September 30.
Drivers who do not pass get one month to improve.
If they still do not comply, their licences or work badges can be suspended.
Some people found fewer autos available and higher prices on ride apps.
The Maharashtra government will reopen 16 of 48 Marathi training centres in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The centres had closed after the August 15 deadline for Marathi proficiency checks.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the programme would continue after drivers requested more language-learning opportunities.
Drivers who fail checks receive one month to improve and may face suspension of licences and badges.
The enforcement drive runs until September 30, while some commuters reported fewer autos and higher ride-app fares.
- Who
- The Maharashtra state government, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, and auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
- What
- The government announced that 16 Marathi training centres would reopen and indicated drivers may receive more time to meet the language requirement.
- Where
- The Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
- When
- The announcement was made Tuesday; the enforcement drive is scheduled to continue until September 30, following an August 15 training-centre deadline.
- Why
- To help drivers who are still trying to learn Marathi amid confusion, protests, and complaints that the required proficiency is difficult to achieve quickly.
Government and enforcement position
Drivers and union position
Language requirement
Government and enforcement position
The state is enforcing Marathi proficiency checks for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers and is continuing the training programme.
Drivers and union position
Drivers generally object to the short time allowed to acquire working Marathi proficiency, rather than to learning the language itself.
Training and assessment
Government and enforcement position
Reopening 16 centres is intended to give drivers further access to Marathi instruction after requests for help.
Drivers and union position
Drivers say some enforcement questions go beyond the basic conversational phrases covered in training sessions.
Time allowed
Government and enforcement position
Drivers who fail a check are given one month to improve, with suspensions possible for continued non-compliance.
Drivers and union position
The union requested an extension of at least three months, while one driver called learning a new language within 20 days unrealistic.
Key facts
- Centres reopening
- 16 of the 48 Marathi training centres in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region
- Estimated drivers
- About 5.5 lakh auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the MMR
- Non-Marathi-speaking drivers
- Around 60% of drivers, according to union leader Shashank Rao
- Enforcement period
- Scheduled to continue until September 30
- Improvement period
- Drivers who fail a check receive one month to improve their Marathi
- Possible penalties
- A driving licence and public service vehicle badge may be suspended for three months; repeated violations can lead to permanent suspension
- Requested extension
- The Mumbai Autorickshaw Taximens Union sought at least three additional months and more training centres
Quotes
Basant Kumar Thakur
Auto-rickshaw driver from Jharkhand
“During the sessions we were only taught basic conversational phrases. However, during the on-ground checks, officials are asking us everything from the colour of our uniform to how long we have stayed in Mumbai.”
indianexpress.com
“How will we learn and practise if they don’t speak the language themselves? You learn and then forget.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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