Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik to hold talks with unions on making practical Marathi compulsory for commercial drivers.
April 27, 2026: Pratap Sarnaik is set to meet representatives of auto-rickshaw and taxi unions to discuss a proposal making practical Marathi mandatory for commercial drivers across Maharashtra. The meeting will include leaders like Sanjay Nirupam and Shashank Sharad Rao, along with other transport representatives, as the government seeks feedback before implementing the rule.
The proposal aims to ensure that drivers can understand and speak Marathi, with a statewide verification drive scheduled to begin from May 1. Authorities will check both documents and basic language proficiency, though writing skills will not be mandatory. The initiative is also linked to efforts to curb irregularities in transport licensing.
To support the move, organisations like Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh and Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad will help train drivers in spoken Marathi. The government has said strict action will be taken against those who fail to comply after inspections, with the plan expected to roll out across the state in phases.