Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 27: Non-Marathi-speaking auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra have been given one year to learn basic Marathi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday.

Fadnavis made the announcement while speaking to the media, saying the decision followed a request from a delegation of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers led by Haji Arafat.

The delegation supported the requirement that drivers should have a basic knowledge of Marathi but requested more time to meet the requirement. The drivers said they had already started making efforts to learn the language but people from different age groups may find it difficult to learn Marathi within a short period.

The delegation therefore sought a one-year extension to learn basic Marathi, following which the state government decided to grant the additional time, Fadnavis said.

Under the decision, no action will be taken against non-Marathi auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers during the one-year period for not meeting the basic Marathi language requirement.

Fadnavis said the drivers and their organisations would use the year to arrange classes and study Marathi literature to help drivers acquire basic knowledge of the language.

“Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers came forward and requested more time. It was necessary to give them time. Accordingly, they have been given a one-year extension,” Fadnavis said.

The decision is expected to provide relief to thousands of non-Marathi-speaking auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state, while giving them additional time to comply with the basic Marathi language requirement.