New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal on Tuesday directed the Centre and Delhi government to clarify their stand by 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 6, 2016.
"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, 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," 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.
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