India, April 24 -- Just 10 days after announcing a drive to test the Marathi language skills of licenced auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers from May 1, to eliminate fake permit holders, the state transport department appears to have softened its stance. Following threats of a state-wide strike on May 4 from resentful unions and drivers, transport minister Pratap Sarnaik switched his strategy on Thursday shifting focus from the mandatory language test to offering free tuitions to drivers willing to learn Marathi.

The minister said that he is expected to hold a meeting with the unions and discuss the proposal with them on April 28. Should the drivers comply with the government's proposal of availing the free lessons, the drive to test their Ma...