Maharashtra Launches Marathi Test for Auto, Taxi Drivers; Permit at Risk for Non-Compliance
Mumbai: Auto rickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra may soon be required to pass a Marathi language test to retain their permits, as authorities roll out a large-scale verification drive beginning in Mira Bhayandar.
The pilot initiative, launched by the Regional Transport Office (RTO), combines scrutiny of permits and domicile certificates with a mandatory test assessing drivers’ ability to read, write, and speak Marathi. The move is aimed at addressing irregularities in licence issuance and improving communication between drivers and passengers.
Pilot Drive Underway
More than 12,000 registered auto and taxi drivers in Mira Road and Bhayandar are currently undergoing verification. The drive will continue until May 1, celebrated as Maharashtra Day, after which authorities will submit a report and decide on a potential statewide rollout.
Testing and Penalties
As part of the process, drivers are required to write short passages in Marathi at RTO offices. Those who fail the test risk suspension of their licences and permits.
The mandate draws authority from Rule 24 of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, which was amended in 2019 to tighten compliance. Earlier provisions allowed drivers to submit certification from Marathi language experts, but that option has now been removed.
Reasons Behind the Move
The verification drive follows complaints by BJP MLA Narendra Mehta, who alleged irregularities in the issuance of permits, badges, and licences. Concerns were raised that some migrants were being granted permits without adequate checks.
Officials have also cited frequent disputes between passengers and drivers due to language barriers, particularly when drivers are not proficient in Marathi.
Backlash from Unions
The move has triggered opposition from transport unions, many of whose members hail from northern states. Autorickshaw Driver Association president Shashank Rao argued that only basic Marathi is necessary for communication.
Union leader Thampi Kurien noted that existing rules already require knowledge of the local language and that RTO officials typically assess this through verbal interaction rather than formal testing.
Legal Questions Remain
A similar directive issued in 2016 was struck down by the Bombay High Court, which termed it illegal following protests from unions across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
However, the current drive is backed by the 2019 amendment, potentially giving it stronger legal footing. Whether it withstands judicial scrutiny remains to be seen.
A Wider Trend
Language requirements for transport workers are not unique to Maharashtra. States like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have long mandated working knowledge of local languages for drivers, though enforcement has varied.
Maharashtra’s approach formalised and test-based marks one of the more stringent implementations in recent years. If expanded statewide after the pilot phase, it could set a precedent for similar policies across India.
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