South Carolina says tax on polluting vehicles entering Delhi ‘need of the day’

Along with introducing the pollution tax, the New Delhi government has a longer-term plan to construct a new ring road to divert traffic from entering the city, Reuters reported. “We are ready to put a check at all 127 entry points”, said senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for the Delhi government. “I have asked for a copy of the order”, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu said while fixing the matter for hearing on Friday. But the bench was apprehensive in passing an ex-parte interim order given the large number of stakeholders, including cracker manufacturing units and dealers, and the religious connotations.

The proposals come after Monday’s order from the Indian Supreme Court that the federal government and Delhi’s local and municipal governments devise a plan to minimize air pollution within three days.

“What about the huge traffic jams which may take place at these checkpoints?” said the bench, also comprising Justices Arun Mishra and A K Goel, while asking the counsel to look into such issues.

Representing the Centre, Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar submitted that commercial vehicles which carried no “challan” for delivery of goods in the city should not be allowed to enter. Nearly 60 4, 000 overweight enterprise vehicles pursue Delhi each day.

It also seemed to be in agreement with the plea that passenger buses, vehicles with essential commodities, food articles and ambulances may be exempted from paying “pollution compensatory charges”.

It additionally directed that the extra quantity collected in type of surroundings compensation by the examine posts can be paid to Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) which can keep a separate account.

The court also said it would monitor the air pollution situation in the national capital. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on October 16.

Appearing for the infants, who moved the court through their legal guardians, senior lawyer Kapil Sibal alleged that the Delhi government had Rs 387 crore to combat pollution, but at least 87 per cent of the funds lie unused.

The PIL also sought ban on burning of seasonal crops, strict action against those who dump dust, malba and other pollutants without following rules and immediate introduction of Bharat-V or better emission norms into operation uniformly across country. They sought the Supreme Court’s intervention against the inevitable and upcoming widespread use of firecrackers and fireworks and other products of the same classification, especially during Dussehra and Diwali, and thereafter in all events and festivities as well.