Maharashtra: Marathi mandatory for rickshaw and taxi drivers from May 1
Mint·2h ago·Neutral
What Happened
Maharashtra will require all licensed rickshaw and taxi drivers to know Marathi from May 1, coinciding with Maharashtra Day. Cabinet minister Pratap Sarnaik announced a statewide inspection campaign through 59 Motor Transport Department offices to verify drivers' ability to read and write Marathi. Licenses will be cancelled for non-compliant drivers. The rule exists but is widely flouted, with complaints from Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Nagpur regions.
Key Entities
MaharashtraMarathi languagePratap SarnaikMotor Transport Departmentrickshaw driverstaxi driversMay 1Maharashtra DayMumbai Metropolitan Region