Thane: A man shows a sticker after the Maharashtra government plans to make Marathi language compulsory for autorickshaw and taxi drivers, in Thane. (PTI Photo) Mumbai: Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik Monday put on hold the decision to cancel licences and permits of auto and taxi drivers from May 1 over non-compliance with the Marathi language requirement, opting instead for a phased campaign on awareness, verification and training. The Mumbai Autorickshawmen’s Union called off its May 4 protest after discussions.From May 1 to Aug 15, govt will conduct a survey across 59 RTOs to determine how many drivers are Marathi-speaking and how many are not. The exercise will also detect fake licences, bogus badges and permit-related irregularities.Non-Marathi-speaking drivers will be guided to training centres and offered tuition to acquire practical proficiency. “After giving them a reasonable chance, we will strictly enforce law,” Sarnaik said.The transport ministry has withdrawn its earlier decision of reading and writing tests in Marathi and will instead prepare a short curriculum focused on practical use.About the AuthorSomit SenSomit Sen, Senior Editor at The Times of India, Mumbai. He covers stories on Power beat in Maharashtra and on Oil & Gas. He also covers RTO, BEST (Mumbai’s public transport buses), transport ministry, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, interstate transport (trucks/tempos) and the fleetcabs.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNDA Nears 2/3 Majority As NDA Numbers Swell in Rajya Sabha After AAP Exodus’Party Of Billionaires’: Congress Attacks AAP After 7 Rajya Sabha MPs Join BJPIran Attacks Togo-Flagged Tanker With 17 Indian Seafarers Near Oman; All Safe’Once-in-a-Generation’ India Signs Free Trade Agreement With New Zealand After a Decade of Talks’Attack By BJP Goons’: TMC MP Mitali Bag’s Car Vandalised In Hooghly, BJP Denies TMC’s Charge’You Are Married Because AAP Made You Rajya Sabha Member’: Saurabh Bharadwaj Attacks Raghav ChadhaNDA Surges In Rajya Sabha After Chadha-Led AAP Exodus, BJP Nears Majority“Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Defends Exit From AAP In New Video“Bound To Happen”: Congress MLA’s Take On Trump Event ShootingArvind Kejriwal Shocks Court With Refusal To Appear In Excise Case123PhotostoriesWhy tadka turns bitter: 5 expert tips for preparing perfect tadka at home10 delicious Indian sweets made with fresh cheesePM Narendra Modi praises 3 desi Indian cheese varieties and asks how many have you triedHow Brahma Muhurta Routines Can Improve Focus, Clarity, and Discipline8 historic landmarks in Mumbai that are more than 100 years old: Why you should visit themTop 5 residential areas of Nashik for quality living and investmentAC vs cooler: What works best for DelhiAamir Khan tears up at son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s ‘Ek Din Ki Mehfil’ event: 5 times the actor got emotional in publicGreen and red food combinations that boost nutrient absorption instantlySummer Special: How to make Kaache Aam ki Launji at home123Hot PicksWest Bengal PollsPM ModiMamata BanerjeeRahul GandhiBengal RallyWest Bengal ElectionsMatua CommunityTop TrendingRussini Mike Photo ControversyTamil Nadu electionNFL Trade RumorsPetrol Diesel PriceAssam HS 12th ResultJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap
Mumbai: Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik Monday put on hold the decision to cancel licences and permits of auto and taxi drivers from May 1 over non-compliance with the Marathi language requirement, opting instead for a phased campaign on awareness, verification and training. The Mumbai Autorickshawmen’s Union called off its May 4 protest after discussions.From May 1 to Aug 15, govt will conduct a survey across 59 RTOs to determine how many drivers are Marathi-speaking and how many are not. The exercise will also detect fake licences, bogus badges and permit-related irregularities.Non-Marathi-speaking drivers will be guided to training centres and offered tuition to acquire practical proficiency. “After giving them a reasonable chance, we will strictly enforce law,” Sarnaik said.The transport ministry has withdrawn its earlier decision of reading and writing tests in Marathi and will instead prepare a short curriculum focused on practical use.