Nagpur Regional Transport Office is set to introduce free Marathi language classes for auto-rickshaw drivers who are not proficient in the language, in a move aimed at combining public service with the state’s language policy. The initiative was confirmed by RTO in-charge Kiran Bidkar and will be implemented across all three RTO offices in the city — Nagpur, Nagpur East and Nagpur Rural.
The decision was taken following discussions with officials from the Directorate of Languages, Nagpur, who have agreed to conduct Marathi training sessions for drivers. Classes will be held at all three RTO offices, where dedicated spaces will be allocated for the programme. The training courses are expected to run for 21 to 30 days and will include free study material.
Officials said the class timings would be planned keeping in mind the working schedules of auto drivers, allowing them to attend sessions conveniently. Drivers will also have the option of choosing the RTO office nearest to them for the training.
The RTO administration has already contacted several auto-rickshaw unions in the city to identify drivers who are not familiar with Marathi. Bidkar stated that the course structure and curriculum would be finalised at the state level before being circulated to local offices for implementation.
Although participation in the classes will remain voluntary, the state government has made learning Marathi mandatory for drivers and has given them a 100-day period to comply with the directive. Officials have indicated that action may be taken against those failing to meet the requirement after August 15.
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