Giriraj Singh Writes to Maharashtra CM Over Marathi Language Rules for Auto and Taxi Drivers
Union Minister for Textiles Giriraj Singh has written a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding the issue of Marathi language learning for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers. development.
Giriraj Singh said that during his recent visit to Mumbai, he met many non-Marathi speaking citizens and auto-rickshaw drivers. The drivers informed him about the issues faced by them in Maharashtra.
After August 15, any driver found lacking functional knowledge of the Marathi language will face regulatory action. The licence authorities will first send a notice to the drivers, giving them a month to learn Marathi.
If they fail, their driving licence and Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge may be suspended for up to three months. Repeated violations may result in permanent cancellation of licences.
These penalties are part of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026, notified on August 12. The amended rules also extend the requirement of working knowledge of Marathi to app-based cab drivers and vehicle permit holders.
Taxi union leaders have renewed their demand for an extension of the deadline. The union has sought an extension until January 26.
“Of more than five lakh autos operating in the MMR, nearly 70 per cent of drivers are non-Marathi speaking. A substantial number have not been able to complete the training because there are not enough centres,” said Shashank Rao of the Mumbai Autorickshaw Taxi Men’s Union.
Giriraj Singh asks for relief
Giriraj Singh suggested that drivers who do not know Marathi should not face immediate strict action or penalties. He requested that they should be given at least one year to learn the language. He also suggested that drivers should be allowed to continue their licences during this period. According to him, this would give them enough time to learn Marathi without putting their livelihood at risk.
The Union Minister suggested that the Maharashtra government should start free practical Marathi language training centres or programmes for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers. He said that such training would help drivers learn Marathi easily and create a more comfortable environment for them to communicate with passengers.
Giriraj Singh said that giving drivers sufficient time to learn Marathi would strengthen trust, social harmony and cooperation between Marathi-speaking people and citizens from other parts of India. He expressed hope that the Maharashtra government would consider the concerns of people from different linguistic backgrounds and take suitable action on the matter.
