Court mulls 1-time cess on all diesel vehicles

Senior counsel Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Singhvi and Aryama Sundaram submitted that the pollution caused by diesel vehicles of 2000cc was only 0.2 per cent when compared to vehicles of 1000cc or more. No country in the world has ever banned diesel vehicles, it was pointed out. The bench, however, refused to lift the ban at this stage and asked them to prove it at a later date.

The CJI told the counsel: “Which class of people are using 2000cc vehicles It’s only used by the rich. You are saying diesel vehicles pollute less. Are your vehicles emitting oxygen ”

The bench indicated it will consider imposing a one-time cess on all diesel vehicles at the time of purchase. The CJI observed: “If anyone goes for a diesel vehicle, he must know he is buying a polluting vehicle, and those buying these vehicles must pay like the polluter pays.”

The court said it was exploring all options and measures to control air pollution in Delhi. The CJI set an example by himself following the odd-even car scheme in Delhi by sharing the vehicle with brother judge Justice Sikri, and suggested that the Delhi Metro should run a “premium” service to cater to the needs of high-end car owners who are affected by the odd-even scheme. “Let them pay more (maybe even five times more) and at least have a seat in the Metro”, he said.

The bench asked solicitor-general Ranjit Kumar ask the Centre on whether all its diesel vehicles that are now more than five years old will be phased out. The bench, which banned the entry of old vehicles, asked the Delhi government to grant owners a “no-objection certificate” enabling them to sell their cars outside Delhi.