Centre pulled up over scrapping policy

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal on Monday rapped the Centre for delay in introduction of a new scrapping policy which will provide incentives for surrendering old polluting vehicles and asked it to expeditiously frame a scheme in this regard.

The green panel said more than a year has passed since its directions on “scrapping policy” which includes benefit in purchase of new cars, but nothing has been done till date except “tall claims” by the ministry of heavy industries.

“You (the ministry) made tall claims before us that you are going to provide incentive for scrapping of vehicles, but did nothing. You say something before us and forget as you step outside the tribunal. We had asked you to provide scrapping procedure and propose site as well. What have you done?

“The ministry of heavy industries had assured us that it was in the process of providing methodology and incentives to those scrapping their vehicles... We direct the ministry to take clear instructions in this regard,” a bench headed by National Green Tribunal chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The green panel also directed Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh governments to hold meeting with chief secretary of the Delhi government for identifying land in border areas to park vehicles banned from plying in Delhi NCR.

“This meeting should take place immediately and the minutes of the meeting should be placed on record before the tribunal on the next date of hearing,” it said.

Advocate Balendu Shekhar, appearing for the ministry of heavy industries, informed the bench that it was in talks with the ministry of finance and was examining the viability of scrapping policy.

He also said the ministry has written to the state governments to give their views on scrapping policy but no response has been received till date.

During the hearing, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) told the bench that at present two sites have been identified at Narela and Rohini which can be temporarily provided to Delhi Police for parking of seized vehicles.

To this the bench said, “We make it clear that these sites would be given on temporary basis and no permanent structure would be raised in the area. Since no transfer of land is being done to the Delhi police, hence no charges would be paid to DDA in this regard”.