Maha rolls out Marathi classes for drivers, sets Aug 15 deadline

Mumbai: Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Friday announced starting of ‘practical Marathi training’ classes for non Marathi autorickshaw and taxi drivers in collaboration with Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh and Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad. Sarnaik warned of action against drivers who do not speak Marathi even after August 15. Industries minister Uday Samant has agreed to allocate Rs 2 crore to run these classes through the Marathi Language Department. Classes will run till Aug 15.

These classes will be conducted both online and offline, and a four-hour training will be provided. These classes will be held at 72 locations across the state as well as in the offices of various organisations, Shiv Sena shakhas and other interested organisations. Certificates will also be given to those who complete the training, said officials.

“This is an important initiative for the promotion and dissemination of the Marathi language. If the drivers do not know Marathi despite all these efforts, then action will be inevitable,” said Sarnaik.

A meeting was held in Mantralaya by Sarnaik. Transport commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, Ujjwala Mehendale and Meenakshi Raikar from Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh, Dr Pradeep Dhavan, Arun Mhatre, Jyoti Thakare, Shivaji Gavde, Swati Gavde, Suhsini Kirtikar, Manisha Rajput, and Deepa Thanekar from Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad were present.

“Many non-Marathi drivers from various parts of the country work in public transport-related services, and knowledge of Marathi language will be useful for them when communicating with passengers. This initiative is being implemented against this backdrop. It is essential to provide practical Marathi training to non-Marathi drivers to enhance communication with Maharashtra’s language, culture, and local citizens. These classes will make it easier for non-Marathi drivers to interact with passengers, and positive changes will also be evident in their service,” said Sarnaik.

“With the cooperation of Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh and Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad, this initiative will be carried out until August 15, and further planning is underway to ensure drivers across the state can benefit from it,” said Sarnaik.

Sarnaik had last month announced that licensed auto rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state will have to demonstrate knowledge of Marathi, with the transport department set to launch a verification drive across 59 regional and sub-regional transport offices.

Sarnaik had said drivers must be able to read and write Marathi, warning that licences of those who fail to meet the requirement will be cancelled. The move has caused discontent among drivers’ unions, who have threatened to challenge it in court, saying it could threaten the livelihood of thousands already working in the sector and that they already obtained a “working knowledge of Marathi” at the time of obtaining badges.