Clear useful Marathi take a look at or lose permits from Aug 16: Minister warns taxi, rickshaw drivers

Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday (July 8, 2026) warned that the licences of taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers might be cancelled from August 16 in the event that they fail to clear the useful Marathi language take a look at.

The Maharashtra Transport Division had set the deadline of August 15 for all non-Marathi auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to study sensible Marathi.

Talking to reporters on the Vidhan Bhavan premises, Transport Minister Sarnaik mentioned round 450 academics have been engaged to coach drivers in useful Marathi, and the federal government has given them time until August 16 to study the language.

“Beneath Guidelines 4, 22 and 85 of the Maharashtra Motor Autos Guidelines, 1989, drivers have been given time until August 16 to study useful Marathi. Thereafter, strict motion will probably be taken. If a car operator fails the useful Marathi take a look at, the Regional Transport Workplace (RTO) has been empowered to cancel the licence to function,” he mentioned.

The minister mentioned the sooner penalty for violations was a high quality of ₹500, however the amended provisions now enable cancellation of licences for these failing the Marathi language take a look at.

Replying to a query on making domicile certificates obligatory for bike taxi operators, Mr. Sarnaik mentioned the two-wheeler taxi service will formally begin in Maharashtra from August 1.

He mentioned a welfare cess of ₹5 per car per day and a further levy of two% on each fare will probably be collected and utilised solely for the welfare of motorbike taxi operators.

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Mr. Sarnaik mentioned the federal government has determined to make domicile certificates obligatory as many unauthorised bike taxi operators have entered the market, creating difficulties for legislation enforcement businesses.

“Anybody looking for permission to function a motorbike taxi service in Maharashtra must produce a domicile certificates establishing that she or he is a resident of the State. We’re bringing the required legislative provisions for this,” he mentioned.

The minister mentioned individuals residing in Maharashtra for the final 15 years could be eligible to acquire the badge required to function industrial two-wheelers within the state.

On the usage of petrol-powered bikes by app-based aggregators, Mr. Sarnaik alleged that corporations reminiscent of Ola, Uber and Rapido had been instructed to deploy electrical two-wheelers however as an alternative launched petrol-powered bikes.

“The State encourages the usage of electrical automobiles. Nevertheless, some aggregators introduced petrol-powered bikes into service, notably within the Mumbai Metropolitan Area, following which we initiated motion in opposition to them,” he mentioned.

Mr. Sarnaik reiterated that Maharashtra welcomes electrical automobiles and can proceed to advertise their wider adoption throughout the State.