Mumbai, April 28 -- Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena today issued a stern warning, asserting that it will be compulsory for Hindi-speaking auto and taxi drivers to learn the Marathi language, if they wish to ply their trade, even as he also announced measures to assist drivers to learn Marathi.
Sarnaik has made it clear that licences of drivers for not knowing Marathi language will not be cancelled-but only for the time being. After August 15, which is roughly 100 days from May 1 (Maharashtra Day), auto and taxi drivers who are found unable to speak in Marathi language will end up losing their driving licences and permits.
"There was confusion whether Marathi language has been made compulsor...