India, April 28 -- Amid an uproar among auto and taxi unions, and political leaders, over the government's move to test the proficiency of Marathi among all drivers of public transports beginning May 1, transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Monday met union leaders who sought more time for getting drivers up to speed with the local language. After the meeting, Sarnaik told the union leaders that he will discuss the matter with his department on Tuesday and respond to their demands with a renewed timeline.

Sarnaik assured the unions that the government will not take action on the drivers from May 1.

The meeting was attended by former MP Sanjay Nirupam, who had urged the government to defer the drive, Shashank Sharad Rao, president of Auto...