<p>The Supreme Court indicated that its ban on registration of diesel vehicles with engine capacity above 2000cc in the Delhi-NCR may be lifted after levying a green cess.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice T S Thakur on Monday reserved its order on a batch of applications seeking modification of the December 2015 order whereby registration of diesel SUVs and high-end vehicles above 2000cc was prohibited in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), including Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram.<br /><br />“We may ask (automakers /dealers/buyers) to pay 1% of the cost of the vehicle as cess on diesel vehicle and it could be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board or with any other body,” the bench, also comprising Justices A K Sikri and R Banumathi, said.<br /><br />Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Department of Heavy Industries, requested for vacating the ban, maintaining that the central government was ready to conduct a “multi-pronged study” on effect of diesel on the environment and possibility of imposing a green cess on diesel vehicles. “There is no empirical study, we cannot say that diesel is an undesirable fuel. Give us six weeks and we will conduct a comprehensive study on the subject and submit a report in the court. But modify your order since it has been affecting the economy and especially the FDI. There is a sense of uncertainty and industry leaders are complaining about unpredictability of the investments,” he submitted.<br /><br />He also maintained that it would not be appropriate for the court to impose a tax on diesel vehicles and direction could be issued to the government only after the study report is furnished in the court.<br /><br />Observing that Delhi would have been miserable if the court had not issued orders for CNG two decades ago, the bench said they would be happy if study was undertaken. <br /><br />“The government cannot be seen as protecting someone who is creating pollution. <br />We will hold back our order if you give us a report after a credible study,” the bench told Rohatgi.<br /><br />During the hearing, Rohatgi also told the bench the government mooted a plan for scrapping old cars by giving compensation to the tune of Rs 50,000 for each such car.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>The Supreme Court indicated that its ban on registration of diesel vehicles with engine capacity above 2000cc in the Delhi-NCR may be lifted after levying a green cess.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice T S Thakur on Monday reserved its order on a batch of applications seeking modification of the December 2015 order whereby registration of diesel SUVs and high-end vehicles above 2000cc was prohibited in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), including Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram.<br /><br />“We may ask (automakers /dealers/buyers) to pay 1% of the cost of the vehicle as cess on diesel vehicle and it could be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board or with any other body,” the bench, also comprising Justices A K Sikri and R Banumathi, said.<br /><br />Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Department of Heavy Industries, requested for vacating the ban, maintaining that the central government was ready to conduct a “multi-pronged study” on effect of diesel on the environment and possibility of imposing a green cess on diesel vehicles. “There is no empirical study, we cannot say that diesel is an undesirable fuel. Give us six weeks and we will conduct a comprehensive study on the subject and submit a report in the court. But modify your order since it has been affecting the economy and especially the FDI. There is a sense of uncertainty and industry leaders are complaining about unpredictability of the investments,” he submitted.<br /><br />He also maintained that it would not be appropriate for the court to impose a tax on diesel vehicles and direction could be issued to the government only after the study report is furnished in the court.<br /><br />Observing that Delhi would have been miserable if the court had not issued orders for CNG two decades ago, the bench said they would be happy if study was undertaken. <br /><br />“The government cannot be seen as protecting someone who is creating pollution. <br />We will hold back our order if you give us a report after a credible study,” the bench told Rohatgi.<br /><br />During the hearing, Rohatgi also told the bench the government mooted a plan for scrapping old cars by giving compensation to the tune of Rs 50,000 for each such car.<br /><br /><br /></p>
