Maharashtra Transport Department has started implementation of a rule that auto-rickshaw, taxi, Ola and Uber drivers must speak Marathi. The move is expected to help train drivers who operate passenger vehicles in the state and is in line with the new Motor Vehicle Rules.
According to the Transport Department, Marathi proficiency will not simply be assessed through a written examination. To determine if the driver is actually learning the language, officials will interact with them directly. The assessment will also be recorded on video and a record of the interaction and the performance of the driver will be kept.
One month period to learn Marathi
Drivers who do not have good practical knowledge of Marathi will be given one month to improve their language skills. The department has said that the one month will be to teach and be able to show the necessary skills for the job.
But drivers who do not perform well after that one-month period could be disciplined. Their driver badge will be suspended for three months if they fail to meet the prescribed requirement and the driver badge will be discontinued for the same. If a driver repeatedly fails to learn Marathi or follow the rules and refuses to comply, then officials can ban the badge and permit permanently and give a reason why.
The Transport Department has also made it clear that there will be no extension beyond the stipulated time for drivers who refuse to comply. It is to be noted that action should be taken as per the rules of procedure.
Marathi assessment for new driver badges
To those who are seeking new auto-rickshaw and taxi permits or badges, the requirement will also apply. Before issuing a new badge, transport officials will interact directly with the applicant and assess their practical knowledge of Marathi.
The interaction will be recorded on video and applicants will be issued a new badge only after they are deemed to have the requirements of proficiency. The system is intended to make Marathi-language assessment a formal part of the process of issuing new passenger-vehicle badges.
Throughout Maharashtra, approximately 9.65 lakh auto-rickshaw and taxi permits and badges have been issued. With the new enforcement drive, the Transport Department will be closely monitoring compliance among drivers operating passenger vehicles across the state.
Fake Residence Certificates Under Investigation.
Besides the Marathi-language requirement, the Transport Department is also investigating complaints of fraudulent residence certificates. Some applicants are suspected of obtaining auto-rickshaw and taxi permits and badges by submitting certificates falsely claiming that they have been residents of Maharashtra for 15 years.
We are going to have police officials verify suspicious certificates to understand what they are. We’re going to look for anyone who has made forged, or otherwise fraudulent documents to meet the criteria for permits and badges.
Additional Transport Commissioner Ravi Gaikwad has been appointed to oversee the verification drive. A report on the findings is expected to be made by the end of next month.
What the New Rule means for drivers
The new enforcement measures have placed a greater responsibility on auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to comply with Maharashtra's transport regulations. Existing drivers who have no practical Marathi knowledge will first have a chance to hone their language skills, but non-compliance might affect their ability to operate.
For new applicants, Marathi proficiency will become an important part of the badge-issuing process. The video-recorded assessment is also expected to provide documentation of the interaction between officials and applicants.
The Transport Department is now doing more language compliance and looking at these eligibility documents with greater scrutiny. While the Marathi requirement is for communication between passenger-vehicle drivers and the public, the residence-certificate investigation aims to look for any potential errors in the permit and badge application process.
Drivers and applicants are therefore expected to comply with the language and documentation requirements. The enforcement drive signals a stricter approach of Maharashtra authorities towards compliance with passenger vehicle regulations.
