Mumbai, August 20: Maharashtra’s Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced on Wednesday that auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state must now possess basic Marathi language skills for communication. Failure to comply may result in the suspension or cancellation of their badges and permits.
Minister Sarnaik informed reporters that this initiative, starting August 20, is based on the existing regulations from 1989 and the legal provisions updated on August 12, 2026. Drivers lacking basic Marathi skills will receive a one-month notice to learn the language. If they do not comply, their badges will be suspended for three months. Continued refusal to learn Marathi will lead to the complete cancellation of their badge and operating permit.
He emphasized that while Maharashtra has always welcomed people from across the country for employment, respecting the state’s language and culture is paramount. This decision follows Marathi being designated as a ‘classical language.’
Drivers refusing to speak Marathi will not receive any additional leniency, and strict actions will be enforced under legal regulations. The Transport Authority (RTO) will now conduct live interviews and video recordings to assess the practical knowledge of Marathi for new applicants before issuing new badges or licenses. So far, over 965,000 permits have been issued in the state.
In light of reports regarding the use of fake documents to obtain permits, RTO officials have been instructed to rigorously verify residency certificates. Authorities and local police will investigate whether applicants have genuinely resided in Maharashtra for the required 15 years.
Additional Transport Commissioner Ravi Gaikwad has been appointed to lead this enforcement campaign and will submit an operational report by the end of next month.
Alongside strict adherence to language requirements, Minister Sarnaik also highlighted welfare schemes for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers under the Anand Dighe Corporation. This corporation, with over 37,000 registered members, has allocated ₹57 crore for driver welfare. Benefits include schemes for students, a grant of ₹10,000 for drivers upon reaching the age of 65, and financial assistance for serious medical treatments.
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