The Maharashtra Transport Department has issued notices to 777 drivers for lacking functional knowledge of the Marathi language, according to reports. A statewide inspection campaign conducted between August 20 and August 22 tested 5,211 drivers, with 3,942 in Mumbai alone. Drivers found unqualified were given one month to improve their Marathi skills. The requirement was initially set for May 1 but postponed to August 15. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik warned of strict enforcement starting August 16, including cancellation of licenses for non-compliance. The policy now applies to drivers using ride-hailing services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido. Marshals conduct roadside tests asking drivers to respond to basic Marathi phrases.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a government policy and its implementation without overtly favoring any political ideology. It includes quotes from officials and outlines the policy changes without apparent ideological slant. While the issue of language proficiency is politically sali





