MUMBAI: Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday said that the entire process of verifying knowledge of the Marathi language while issuing new badges to auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers will be videographed starting Thursday.He said that the measure aims to ensure transparency in the implementation of the amended motor vehicle rules, which make “working knowledge” of Marathi mandatory for such drivers, news agency PTI reported.The minister has also directed Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials to record videos while testing drivers’ working knowledge of Marathi during the special drive that will begin on August 20.The requirement for Marathi knowledge existed earlier but was not strictly enforced.The new measure aims to prevent malpractices in the issuance of badges to drivers, PTI reported.Under the recently amended state motor vehicle rules, drivers will be given a one-month notice to acquire a “working knowledge” of Marathi.Failure to do so can result in suspension of their licence for three months and eventual cancellation of their operating permits.Sarnaik said, “From tomorrow, the process of issuing taxi and auto-rickshaw badges will be video recorded.”Transport officials have been instructed to strictly follow the prescribed procedure while conducting the Marathi language verification, he said.Sarnaik also announced that a drive will begin on Thursday to take action against auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers who do not have a “working knowledge” of Marathi.Action will be initiated against those who do not possess the required certificate or working knowledge of Marathi.Notices will first be issued, and if compliance is not achieved, the driver’s licence and badge may be suspended for three months, he said.“If someone fails to do so even after three months, orders will be issued for cancellation of their licence and badge,” Sarnaik said.Additional transport commissioner Ravi Gaikwad will lead the month-long drive against non-Marathi taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers across the state, the minister added.RTO flying squads have been instructed through video conference to conduct checks and ensure implementation of the amended rules.Earlier, pointing to a provision in the amended motor vehicle rules, Sarnaik had on Tuesday said autorickshaw and taxi drivers across the state would be given an opportunity to learn Marathi before any punitive action was taken against them.However, the statement failed to allay fears among a large section of commercial passenger drivers in the state who hail from other parts of the country and lack proficiency in Marathi.Non-Marathi drivers in Maharashtra fear losing their livelihoods over the ambiguous “working knowledge” requirement under the mandatory language rule, despite state assurances that they will be given sufficient time to learn the language, including a 30-day notice period, before permits are revoked.In April this year, Sarnaik announced that all commercial passenger vehicle drivers in Maharashtra must have a working knowledge of Marathi.Later, a three-month Marathi learning initiative was launched, which concluded on August 15.“After this initiative, 1,65,601 drivers from across Maharashtra have come forward,” Sarnaik said on Tuesday, adding that the Marathi language department would work with the transport department and other officials to strengthen the initiative.Explaining the rationale behind the drive, the Shiv Sena MLA said the government wants people to learn the language and has therefore decided to continue the project.Nearly six lakh autorickshaw and taxi drivers operating in Maharashtra, particularly in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), will be brought under a Marathi-language learning initiative, he added.(With agency inputs)
