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- Mumbai faces taxi-auto strike over mandatory Marathi language rule.
- CM Fadnavis clarifies rule for basic communication, not expertise
- Drivers protest RTO checks, citing training and earning losses.
As Mumbai faces a shortage of taxi and autorickshaw drivers during a three-day strike against Maharashtra's new Marathi language requirement for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, CM Devendra Fadnavis assured them that the mandate was only intended to make their communication easier. The rules do not attempt to make them language experts; rather, they have been given additional time to learn the language.
"There is no reason to make them experts in Marathi. They should know work-related, basic Marathi," Fadnavis added. The Maharashtra CM said, “The deadline to learn the language has been extended three times now. Our Mahayuti government will not allow injustice based on language."
Even as Fadnavis assured that the rules are implemented to ensure smoother exchange between drivers and passengers, the protestors alleged that the RTO checks were asking them questions which were not taught to them during their training in the centres. “ The material taught there did not adequately prepare drivers for some of the questions they were facing during RTO checks, " India Today quoted an autorickshaw driver as saying.
What Are The Problems Faced By Drivers?
One of the auto drivers claimed that many people carry out multiple jobs to earn a livelihood, for those it becomes a difficult task to continue their work accompanied by training. The Patna driver also mentioned that the time consumed during the training session also take up their earning hours, leading to losses.
The official test includes practical questions based on daily situations faced by the drivers,including, communicating with passengers about destinations, fares, routes, meters and CNG stop. While the mandate says that it is crucial for the drivers to communicate in Marathi, many alleged that a significant numbers of commuters, voluntarily speak in Hindi, without showing discomfort.
One of the concerning issues is that the Marathi is the mother tongue of nearly 36 per cent of Mumbai City's population, making it the city's largest linguistic group, according to the 2011 Census. However, at the same time, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were among the biggest sources of migrants to Mumbai from outside Maharashtra, accounting for nearly 47 per cent of Mumbai's out-of-state migrant population, according to 2011 census data.
Over 1,268 Drivers Get Notices
As of now, 1,268 commercial passenger vehicle drivers had been issued notices after the first day of statewide checking. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said that action will be taken against those RTO officials who attempt to impose fines. On Augfust 12, a one-month notice to drivers who lacked a working knowledge of Marathi and give them time to learn it. Those who fails, will have their licenses cancelled and badge cancelled. They would be given three months to learn the language thoroughly.