2 days ago
Pune RTO Notices 53 Drivers Before Maharashtra Grants Language Extension
Pune officials checked many autorickshaw and taxi drivers to see whether they knew basic Marathi.
They inspected 1,376 vehicles between August 20 and 27.
Officials gave notices to 53 drivers who did not know Marathi.
Nobody had a driving licence or permit badge suspended during these checks.
The government had earlier set August 15 as the deadline to learn the language.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has now given drivers one more year to learn functional Marathi.
Marathi classes and study materials will be offered to help them.
A court case against the language rule ended after the government confirmed the extra year.
Pune RTO officials inspected 1,376 autorickshaws and taxis between August 20 and 27.
Fifty-three drivers were issued notices after officials found they lacked knowledge of Marathi.
No driving licences or permit badges were suspended during the inspections.
Maharashtra has given non-Marathi-speaking drivers one year to acquire functional Marathi and halted punitive action.
The Bombay High Court disposed of a PIL challenging the Marathi requirement after the government confirmed the extension.
- Who
- The Pune Regional Transport Office, non-Marathi-speaking autorickshaw and taxi drivers, the Maharashtra government, and four Uber drivers who filed a PIL.
- What
- The RTO issued notices to 53 drivers lacking Marathi knowledge, while the government extended the learning period by one year and halted punitive action.
- Where
- The inspections occurred in Pune, Maharashtra, and the PIL was heard by the Bombay High Court.
- When
- The inspections took place from August 20 to 27; the extension was announced after driver representatives met the chief minister.
- Why
- The government said drivers needed time to learn basic Marathi, following representations from driver groups.
Drivers Challenging the Requirement
Government Supporting the Requirement
Marathi as a permit condition
Drivers Challenging the Requirement
Four Uber drivers filed a Public Interest Litigation challenging the requirement for Marathi proficiency to obtain permits.
Government Supporting the Requirement
The Maharashtra government maintained that autorickshaw, taxi, and cab drivers should acquire a working knowledge of Marathi.
Enforcement timeline
Drivers Challenging the Requirement
Driver representatives sought more time before punitive action was taken against non-Marathi-speaking drivers.
Government Supporting the Requirement
The government extended the deadline by one year and said no action would be taken during that period.
Language assistance
Drivers Challenging the Requirement
The drivers' challenge highlighted the effect of the language requirement on workers who did not yet meet it.
Government Supporting the Requirement
The government said Marathi classes and study materials would be provided, while officials said drivers were expected to learn basic transport-related words.
Key facts
- Vehicles inspected
- 1,376 autorickshaws and taxis
- Inspection period
- August 20-27
- Notices issued
- 53 drivers were found to have no knowledge of Marathi
- Licence or badge suspensions
- None during the inspection period
- New language deadline
- Drivers have one year to acquire functional Marathi
- Earlier deadline
- August 15
- Reported learners in Pune
- More than 750 autorickshaw drivers
Quotes
Devendra Fadnavis
Chief Minister of Maharashtra
“The deadline has now effectively been extended by one year following representations from driver groups. However, more than 750 autorickshaw drivers in Pune have learnt the language and hope the rest will learn at least the basic Marathi words used in transport.”
freepressjournal.in
“Drivers have come forward and are willing to learn. Therefore, it was necessary to give them time.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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