Maharashtra Extends Marathi Requirement to Ola, Uber, Rapido Drivers; What Does it Say?
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Maharashtra has expanded its Marathi language requirement to Ola, Uber and Rapido drivers, with training and certification being rolled out.
By Sakshi.
New Delhi, August 12: Maharashtra had already announced that taxi drivers in the state should have basic knowledge of Marathi. The minister on Wednesday added that drivers associated with cab aggregators Ola, Uber and Rapido are also required to know the language under the new rule.
The minister added that learning the language is important to effectively communicate with passengers, reported The Indian Express. Earlier, he said more than 1.10 lakh non-Marathi drivers had completed their four-hour training programme. They will be given certificates by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on August 17 in Thane.
The Transport Department, in association with literary organisations such as the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad and the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh, will conduct a 105-day Marathi training programme for auto and taxi drivers from August 15. He also urged the remaining drivers, including those driving app-based taxis, to complete their Marathi training by August 15.
The Maharashtra government announced in April that auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state must be able to communicate in Marathi with passengers, and their knowledge of the language will be tested. It also launched the 'Hinduhhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Marathi Shikvani Abhiyan' on Maharashtra Day (May 1), introducing a Marathi course for migrant drivers.
The campaign is being jointly implemented by the state Marathi Language Department and the literary bodies Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh and Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad.
Why Marathi Became Important
The amendments were reportedly made after some non-Marathi drivers were said to be violating language requirements by taking advantage of ambiguities in the earlier rules, officials said. “These amendments clear the ambiguities in the rules and emphasise the need for practical Marathi for the drivers plying passengers,” said Sarnaik.
