The Maharashtra Government on Saturday informed the Bombay High Court that autorickshaw, taxi and cab drivers across the state will be granted one year to learn and master Marathi, following a challenge to the government's requirement that such drivers possess a “working knowledge” of the language.

The undertaking was given before a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by four Uber drivers challenging the compulsory Marathi-language requirement to get taxi permits.

During the hearing, the bench noted media reports that the State had agreed to give drivers a year to learn Marathi. Acting Chief Justice Ghuge observed that the petitioners had also met the Chief Minister and that reports suggested the issue concerning autorickshaw drivers had been resolved.

The bench initially indicated that the PIL could be disposed of in view of the reported decision. However, Additional Government Pleader Jyoti Chavan told the court that she would have to verify whether a formal policy decision had actually been taken by the State.

The bench then directed the government counsel to check with the Transport Department and confirm the position.

When the matter was called out again, the Additional Government Pleader informed the court that the Transport Minister had confirmed that a period of one year was being granted to autorickshaw, taxi and cab drivers to learn Marathi.

The court subsequently recorded the statement made on behalf of the State. The order recorded that the Transport Commissioner had instructed the Additional Government Pleader to inform the court that one year's time was being granted to all autorickshaw, taxi and cab drivers to learn and master the Marathi language.

Accepting the government's statement, the Bombay High Court disposed of the PIL.

Case Title: Mohd Kasim Ahmad vs State of Maharashtra