Against the backdrop of MNS attacking candidates from North India appearing in railway exams in Maharashtra, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday in Mumbai said the tests will be conducted in regional languages simultaneously.
'The railway exams will be conducted in regional languages simultaneously apart from English and Hindi. In Maharashtra, the exams will be held in Marathi and in other states, these will be held in local languages," she told reporters here.
"The decision was taken after a review was carried out and a new policy was formulated," she said, adding that besides English, Hindi and Urdu, tests will be held in regional languages.
Banerjee said this after Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said at a function that "locals must be given importance. Whoever is a domicile of Maharashtra must first get an employment opportunity."
Chavan, however, said his government does not support agitations based on language and region. "It is not our policy."
He said irrespective of the language people of Maharashtra speak or the belief they follow, "we are concerned about their employment and request her (Mamata Banerjee) to pay heed to this matter."
