Marathi rule: Auto drivers may stay off roads today as unions meet

Mumbai: The city's s autorickshaw sector is bracing for a fresh flashpoint over the Maharashtra govt's proposal to make working knowledge of Marathi mandatory for public transport drivers, with unions planning a major strategy meeting in Goregaon West on Monday afternoon and warning of wider protests across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region from May 4. Sources said the meeting could affect auto availability in several suburbs on Monday.Mumbai Autorickshawmen's Union leader Shashank Rao said autorickshaw owners and drivers would gather in large numbers to discuss how to oppose the proposed cancellation of licences of drivers unable to read or write Marathi. Union notices circulated on social media on Sunday urged drivers to attend in strength.The agitation comes ahead of a scheduled meeting on Tuesday between a union delegation and transport minister Pratap Sarnaik, who has backed draft rules linking licences and permits for public transport vehicles to Marathi proficiency. Sarnaik has maintained that drivers must demonstrate a working knowledge of Marathi or risk losing their licences.The issue has also drawn a calibrated response from the state leadership. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the govt would ensure training for drivers who do not know Marathi, while stressing that imposing any language by force is not the right approach.The transport department has published draft amendments under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, proposing changes to Rules 4, 78 and 85. These would make functional Marathi a condition for obtaining licences, permits and renewals, especially for autorickshaw and taxi drivers. Licensing authorities would be empowered to assess whether applicants can communicate in Marathi before granting authorisation to drive public service vehicles. Permit holders would also need to show Marathi proficiency, and drivers of motor cabs with electronic meters would have to satisfy authorities of their language skills at the time of permit renewal.Sarnaik said literary bodies, including Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh and Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad, have offered to teach Marathi to drivers across the state. The govt has said it will hear the union's views at Monday's meeting before taking the process forward. The draft notification has been opened for public objections and suggestions for 30 days.
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