The Central Government moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday, asking it not to extend the Supreme Court-mandated ban on registration of vehicles beyond 2,000 CC to 11 cities in the country, saying it would hurt automobile industry growth.
The Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises in its plea to the green panel claimed that such a decision will not only impact local industries but also affect the employment of a large number of people in cities — including lucknow, Patna, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Kanpur, Jalandhar, Varanasi and Amritsar. It has requested the green panel not to apply any restrictions on “sale and registration” of new vehicles in any city, which are complying with the statutory emission norms irrespective of fuel used. The petition has been filed in connection with a case related to air pollution.
The plea further said the automobile industry is the largest constituent of the manufacturing sector in the country’s economy, which contributes to more than 47 per cent of its manufacturing GDP.
It is also the fifth largest sector receiving Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country. The petition stated various measures have been taken to balance the requirements of protecting environment and carrying out sustained economic development, which is being guided through the Make in India campaign.
“It is stated principle that there should be a balance between environmental concern and development,
therefore, any decision to ban registration of diesel engine above 2,000 CC will have adverse effect on the growth of automobile industry in the country which is the highest employment provider in manufacturing sector,” the plea said.
The NGT, meanwhile, ordered the chief secretaries of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to submit the details of their air pollution. If it failed to do so by Tuesday, Chief Secretaries would face arrest, said NGT Chairperson Swatanter Kumar.
The NGT will evaluate the data to decide whether or not to ban new diesel pass diesel passenger vehicles with two-litre and larger engines, as well as vehicles that are older than 10 years in 11 major cities.
The Supreme Court in December last banned registration of new diesel vehicles with 2,000 CC and more in the National Capital Region.
The NGT last week imposed a similar ban in some cities of Kerala and also barred diesel vehicles that are older than 10 years.