Marathi compulsory for cabbies in Mumbai

If you want to drive a cab in the city, you should be fluent in Marathi.

Around 24,000 expired taxi permits are up for grabs in Maharashtra but the permits will be only given to those who have lived in the state for 15 years and have a command over the local language.

The state cabinet in a political decision to appease the Marathi manoos, cleared this proposal, on Wednesday. The number of taxis in Mumbai has been limited at around 56,000. While 32,000 estimated cabs are in running condition, 24,000 taxi permits have expired and are now available. The Mumbai taximen’s Union, largest federation of the taxi drivers in the city has opposed this decision terming it as discriminatory.