JD (U) criticises Maharashtra Government’s taxi permit rules

NEW DELHI - Thakur Balbir Singh, the chief of the Delhi Janata Dal- United (JD-U) on Thursday criticised the new rule formed by the Maharastra Government that stresses on the fact that in order to get a taxi permit, taxi drivers need to have 15 years of domicile of Maharashtra.

He said these types of decisions would not be accepted.

Singh said, “How can the Maharashtra Government expect those driving taxis to learn and write Marathi.”

“If these drivers are sent back, they will have no jobs to support their family,” he added.

The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party coalition government in Maharashtra on Wednesday passed a resolution which makes it mandatory for the taxi drivers to speak, read and write Marathi to get taxi permits and also that they must have been residing in the state for 15 years.

The State Cabinet’s decision is likely to have far reaching repercussions for other states in India, and could trigger similar divisionary and disturbing decisions.

The latest Cabinet decision for taxi permits is bound to affect migrants from North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as most taxis in Mumbai are being driven by people from these two states.

However, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has clarified that the decision is only for new permits and old ones won’t be affected.

It is pertinent to mention that in the recent past migrant taxi drivers have been targeted by the Maharashtra Navniramna Sena for allegedly taking up the jobs of locals. (ANI)