Maharashtra defers action over Marathi rule, to begin training campaign for taxi, auto drivers
The Maharashtra government has decided to delay the strict enforcement of its Marathi language requirement for taxi and auto drivers. Instead, a training campaign will be launched to help drivers learn the language, with a verification drive set to begin on May 1. The rule will be enforced more rigorously after August 15, with the aim of ensuring drivers can communicate effectively in Marathi.
- ▪The Maharashtra government will not strictly enforce the Marathi language requirement for taxi and auto drivers immediately.
- ▪A special verification drive will run from May 1 to August 15 across all Regional Transport Offices.
- ▪Driving licenses will not be revoked for inadequate language proficiency during this training period.
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The Maharashtra government on Tuesday (April 28, 2026) decided not to strictly enforce its decision to make Marathi mandatory for autorickshaw and taxi drivers. It has instead opted to launch a special verification drive from May 1, Maharashtra Day, to August 15 across all 59 Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). Marathi made mandatory for auto, taxi drivers in Maharashtra from May 1Following a meeting at the Transport Commissionerate, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik clarified that while the mandate to speak in Marathi remains in effect, driving licences will not be revoked solely on the grounds of inadequate language proficiency during this period.After August 15, the rule will be strictly enforced, he said.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Hindu.
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