As Maharashtra govt pushes Marathi, Sena MLAs seek more time for auto, taxi drivers to learn

As Maharashtra govt pushes Marathi, Sena MLAs seek more time for auto, taxi drivers to learn

Mumbai, Amid the Maharashtra transport department's drive against autorickshaw and taxi drivers lacking adequate knowledge of Marathi, several MLAs of the ruling Shiv Sena have urged the state government to adopt a liberal view and grant drivers additional time to learn the language.

As Maharashtra govt pushes Marathi, Sena MLAs seek more time for auto, taxi drivers to learn

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam has requested state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik to extend the deadline for autorickshaw and taxi drivers to acquire working knowledge of Marathi, emphasising that enforcement measures should not threaten the livelihoods of families.

He urged Sarnaik to take a "liberal view" and said drivers should not be threatened or intimidated.

There is a palpable fear among autorickshaw and taxi drivers after the government's crackdown, Nirupam said, while maintaining that they must know Marathi.

On August 20, the Regional Transport Offices issued notices to 1,268 commercial passenger vehicle drivers - mainly autorickshaw and taxi - for lacking adequate knowledge of the Marathi language. A day later, notices were issued to 1,499 non-Marathi-speaking drivers across Maharashtra.

Announcing the month-long drive on Wednesday, Sarnaik had stated that the government did not intend to take away anyone's livelihood, but wanted to ensure that the Marathi language and the state's identity and culture were preserved.

He said 1.65 lakh drivers had already undergone Marathi training and been issued certificates during a 105-day campaign, which received a good response.

The Shiv Sena, which champions the cause of Marathi manoos, has six MLAs in Mumbai. Three hail from the area with a considerable north Indian population. Many organised Marathi language classes in their own constituencies.

Mangesh Kudalkar, a Shiv Sena MLA from Kurla, said that while it is necessary for autorickshaw and taxi drivers to have working knowledge of Marathi, they need more time to learn the language.

Kudalkar said he arranged for Marathi classes for drivers in his constituency.

"I have also told the transport minister to give drivers more time to learn Marathi," he told PTI, pointing out that around 60 to 70 per cent of drivers have attended the transport department's language classes.

Dilip Lande, Shiv Sena MLA from Chandivili, said he also organised Marathi classes by booking two halls in his constituency.

As many as 4,730 drivers have cleared the exams, said the legislator, who heads an autorickshaw union with 1,840 members.

Murji Patel, another Shiv Sena lawmaker from Andheri East, said 5,200 drivers underwent language training in his constituency, of which 5,130 cleared the exam.

Patel said he had spoken to Sarnaik, who had assured additional time for the autorickshaw and taxi drivers to learn the language. He said his constituency has nearly 65,000 north Indian voters.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.