The National Green Tribunal on Tuesday directed the Centre and Delhi government to clarify their stand by on Wednesday on causes of pollution in the capital besides capping and scrapping of old diesel vehicles after car dealers sought modifications in its “harsh” order.
The green panel issued notices to ministries of road transport, environment and forests and heavy industries as well as Delhi government and others while hearing the plea of car dealers seeking modification of order banning registration of new diesel vehicles till January six.
“What is the cause of pollution Some authorities say vehicles do not cause pollution while others say dust does not cause pollution. What is the reason
“Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, NCT Delhi and ministry of road transport will take a clear stand by tomorrow on the cause of pollution and capping/scrapping of old diesel cars,” a bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar said.
Senior advocate Pinaki Misra, appearing for five Delhi-based car dealers, said the tribunal has passed a “harsh” direction by ordering that there would be no registration of new diesel vehicles and it would have “cascading” effect. “We are saddled with stocks of 2015 which would be difficult to dispose in 2016 due the order passed by NGT. We are totally compliant vehicles as per Bharat stage-IV emission norms under Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. I am being punished for no fault of mine,” Mr Misra said.
He asked the tribunal to modify the order so that the existing stocks of diesel cars be sold as this was the month for giving massive discounts and high sale was expected.
The green panel, however, said that a similar matter was scheduled for hearing in Supreme Court so it will not be proper for it to pass any directions.
“If a similar matter is there in Supreme Court, it would be improper on our part to say anything. We should wait for SC’s order,” the bench said.
The tribunal directed all authorities to file their replies by Wednesday with a clear stand on capping/ scrapping of old cars and providing incentives to those scrapping their old diesel vehicles.
The petition seeking modification has been filed by five car dealers — Koncept Automobiles (Lajpat Nagar), Koncept Cars India Pvt Ltd (Green Park), Ford-Rain Automotive India (Mathura Road), Hana Motor Plaza Pvt Ltd (Mathura Road) and Nath Motors Pvt Ltd (Mathura Road) — engaged in sale of vehicles of Mahindra & Mahindra, Hyundai, Honda and Ford.
The tribunal clarified that it has no doubts on the odd even plan of Delhi government and only wants its proper implementation to get desired results. “We have no doubts on the scheme. We observed certain things just because we want results out of it. Government is the final authority in the matter. It is for them to take a stand,” it said. The green bench also asked the ministry of petroleum as to why the petrol pumps were selling diesel to vehicles which were more than then years old.
Slamming the authorities for not taking a clear stand on the issue of capping and scrapping of old diesel vehicles, it said,” a permanent ban is not a solution to the problem. If you can’t have a multi-dimensional check then give us a solution. We have been asking you take a view for more than a year now but you have done nothing.” The bench said the authorities need the requisite will to implement the orders and said,” If China can ban all the cars in two days, why can’t we.”
