One useful takeaway
- The Maharashtra government requires auto and taxi drivers to pass a Marathi proficiency test to retain their licenses.
ARTICLE PREVIEW
Gist - Language Mandate: Maharashtra requires auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to demonstrate conversational Marathi proficiency to retain driving privileges. - Enforcement: Mandatory language assessments follow state-sponsored training, with licence suspension for non-compliance. - Socio-economic Dimension: Highlights tensions between regional language politics and migrant livelihoods . - Legal Dimension: Raises questions on the limits of state rule-making under the Motor Vehicles Act . - UPSC Relevance: Links federalism, linguistic rights, migrant welfare and delegated legislation . Background - Statutory Framework: The central Motor Vehicles Act mandates that commercial passenger vehicle drivers possess specific authorizations, prominently a Public Service Vehicle PSV badge, to operate legally. - State-Level Regulation: The Maharashtra government operationalizes these central transport mandates through subordinate legislation known as the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules . - Historical Exemption: Previously, Rule 24 of these state rules required regional language proficiency for obtaining a PSV badge but explicitly exempted "motor cabs"—a legal vehicle classification that encompasses auto-rickshaws. - Judicial Precedent: Relying on this precise statutory exemption, the Bombay High Court in 2017 quashed a state circular that attempted to mandate Marathi knowledge…
Checking your learner access…
We are securely restoring your session. The complete article will open automatically.