PIL in Bombay HC challenges Maharashtra’s Marathi rule for cab, auto drivers | Mumbai Information

A Public Curiosity Litigation challenges Maharashtra’s Marathi language rule for drivers

MUMBAI: A Public Curiosity Litigation (PIL) will probably be filed within the Bombay excessive courtroom on Tuesday difficult the Maharashtra authorities’s August 12 notification making working information of Marathi obligatory for auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers.

The petition, filed by 4 app-based cab drivers, together with Mohd. Kasim Ahmad, contends that the notification violates their elementary rights beneath Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Structure.

The petitioners have additionally argued that the notification is extremely vires the Motor Autos Act, 1988, which doesn’t prescribe any language requirement for acquiring or holding a driving licence.

The petitioners have raised issues over the impression of the rule on lakhs of economically susceptible and migrant drivers, who face the prospect of suspension of badges and cancellation of permits in the event that they fail to fulfill the Marathi language requirement.

The PIL is anticipated to hunt a direct keep on the August 12 notification, arguing that its implementation might trigger extreme hardship to almost 9.65 lakh drivers working throughout Maharashtra.

The problem comes after the state transport authorities started imposing the Marathi proficiency requirement as a part of checks on auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers.