Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has moved a proposal to amend Rules 4, 78 and 85 of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules (MMVR), 1989, to make Marathi proficiency mandatory for drivers of public service vehicles. The amendments require applicants to demonstrate basic Marathi proficiency alongside existing checks such as character and background verification. Licensing authorities will assess applicants’ linguistic competence.
The decision comes in the backdrop of Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik’s announcement that Maharashtra would mandate Marathi language knowledge for all licensed auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers from May 1, coinciding with Maharashtra Day.
Following this, a question was also raised by some quarters on why drivers of vehicles owned by cab aggregators are not being asked to speak Marathi. “Considering this, the transport department decided to come up with an amendment in the MMVR 1989,” Mr. Sarnaik told this newspaper.
According to the transport minister, the department will teach Marathi to those drivers who want to learn the language for their bread better in the state. “Our concern is only Marathi should be respected and spoken by the drivers of any vehicles including auto, cab, uber, ola and Rapido, which are used for carrying the passengers,” he said. He said he expects drivers to have only a working knowledge of Marathi.
Rajesh Narvekar, Transport Commissioner of Maharashtra, has submitted the proposal to the secretary of the transport department, and the process of issuing a draft notification is underway. As per the proposed amendments, while granting authorisation to operate public service vehicles, the licensing authority will be empowered to assess the applicant’s working knowledge of Marathi in addition to verifying their character and background.
In Rule 78, the department has proposed that the permit holder should display his working knowledge in case of renewal of permit of motor cabs.
As per the draft, while granting authorisation to operate public service vehicles, the applicant’s working knowledge of Marathi will be assessed. Knowledge of Marathi will be made mandatory as an additional condition for permits of metered motor cabs. Particularly for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, demonstrating knowledge of Marathi will be compulsory at the time of licence renewal.
Officials said that objections and suggestions will be invited from citizens, organisations and other stakeholders regarding the draft rules. “All suggestions and objections received within 30 days from the date of publication of the notification will be duly considered by the state government,” the officials said.
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