This is one of those unique cases, wherein two different Govt. ministries are at loggerheads, over a crucial issue.
While Ministry of Petroleum has ordered complete ban on non-compliant BS VI vehicles starting April 2020, Ministry of Environment is protesting this decision in Supreme Court.
What exactly is happening here?
Ministry of Petroleum: Ban all Non- BS VI Vehicles!
In the Supreme Court, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has informed the Bench that sale and manufacture of those vehicles which are not compliant with BS VI emission standards will face complete ban.
As per the affidavit filed, the ban will be enforced starting April 2020.
If this is passed, then after April, 2020, no one would be able to buy or sell or manufacture vehicles which are not adhering to BS VI compliance.
The Bench comprising Justices M.B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta have been told that Govt. has already invested Rs 28,000 crore to provide BS VI compliant fuel, and if non-compliant vehicles are allowed to run, then it would be impossible to provide them fuel.
Additional solicitor general A.N.S. Nadkarni is representing Govt. on this issue.
Besides, if both compliant and non-compliant BS VI are allowed to run, then it won’t make much sense because the effect on pollution will be minimal.
Environment Ministry Protests!
So fa so good. We understand the logic here, and the urgency.
However, the twist in the tale comes from Ministry of Environment has contended that only manufacturing of non-compliant BS VI should be banned, and not its sale.
As per the affidavit filed by the Ministry of Environment, sale of non-compliant BS VI vehicles should be allowed till June, 2020 for two-wheelers, and till September for 4-wheelers.
The Ministry’s affidavit said, “It may also be difficult to have zero stock of BS-IV with dealers on March 31, 2020 as sales cannot be predicted in advance.”
Supreme Court has earlier dismissed manufacturer’s plea to extend the deadline, and give them more time to sell BS III compliant vehicles.
With BS VI, Govt aims to reduce pollution, especially from diesel vehicles, and make the country clean. Interestingly, after BS IV, Govt. decided to implement and enforce BS-VI directly, thereby skipping BS-V emission norms.
We will keep you updated, as we receive more updates.