Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said that every commercial passenger vehicle driver in the state must have a working knowledge of Marathi. He stressed that the government is firm on this requirement

Speaking at a meeting held at Mantralaya in Mumbai, the minister urged auto-rickshaw and taxi unions to support efforts to teach Marathi to non-Marathi speaking drivers. He said cooperation from unions would be crucial in ensuring wider implementation

The meeting was attended by Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, labour leaders Shashank Rao, Sanjay Nirupam and Haji Arafat Shaikh, along with representatives of various rickshaw and taxi organisations, officials said

Auto drivers in Thane were seen placing Marathi stickers on their vehicles

A meeting has been scheduled on Tuesday at the Transport Commissioner’s office with 59 regional and deputy regional transport officers across the state to take a final decision on the matter, an official statement said