license cancellation

Maharashtra Puts Hold on License Cancellations for Non-Marathi-Speaking Auto-Taxi Drivers

Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik has put on hold the decision to cancel licences and permits of auto and taxi drivers from May 1 over non-compliance with the Marathi language requirement, opting instead for a phased campaign on awareness, verification and training. From May 1 to Aug 15, the government will conduct a survey across 59 RTOs to determine how many drivers are Marathi-speaking and detect fake licences and permit irregularities. Non-Marathi-speaking drivers will be guided to training centres. The earlier decision for reading and writing tests has been withdrawn in favour of a short curriculum focused on practical use.