Mumbai, Aug. 27 -- Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik emphasised that the mandate is not intended to affect anyone's employment, following the state government's decision to grant one year for all public transport drivers to learn and become proficient in the Marathi language.

"The decision taken by the state's Chief Minister is a decision of the Mahayuti government. As the Minister of Transport, the decision he took is binding upon us... We do not wish to snatch away anyone's livelihood," Sarnaik told reporters.

Explaining the rationale behind the move, the Minister added, "Our point is simply that one should have an affinity for Maharashtra's culture and its soil. Just as every state has its own identity, we believe we shou...