A day after the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT’s) order asking trucks to pay a pollution cess to enter Delhi, the Supreme Court on Thursday took it to the next level asking the Centre and the Delhi Government to suggest on Friday how to implement the collection and utilisation of the additional toll.
The Bench asked Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar appearing for the Centre and senior advocate Dushyant Dave appearing for Delhi to sit together with amicus curiae Harish Salve and submit proposals on Friday as to how the task of levying additional tax from the commercial vehicles can be achieved in a foolproof and hassle-free manner. The toll was meant to act as a deterrent for heavy vehicles to avoid city roads.
The Bench of Chief Justice Hl Dattu, Justices Arun Mishra and Adarsh K Goel will hear the proposals on Friday and directed Delhi’s bordering States of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to also remain present during the hearing.
Salve, who had moved an application in the Supreme Court proposing a minimum additional toll of Rs 600 for two-axle and Rs 1,200 for three-axle and above, was surprised to learn about the NGT order. He said the Tribunal will not have the jurisdiction as enjoyed by SC that has dealt with such matters in the past.
The bench told Salve that it was yet to read the NGT order. “We will see their order and even may modify their order,” the Bench said, responding to Salve’s request to restrain NGT from passing further orders.
There are 127 entry points for trucks and heavy commercial vehicles to enter Delhi. The NGT issued an order on Tuesday levying three categories of tax of Rs 500, 700 and 1,000 for two-axle, three-axle, and four-axle commercial vehicles entering the Capital. The Tribunal even directed Delhi-bound trucks to be diverted near Panipat.
Delhi Government claimed that to implement this decision, it required cooperation from Haryana and UP governments. It preferred the Supreme Court to deal with the matter in evolving an effective mechanism. The Centre supported Salve’s suggestion but added a rider that as is seen in the past, trucks do not pay tax at all entry points and this can be a cause for concern while implementing the proposed toll. The bench asked both governments to sit together and iron out the creases in the proposal before Friday.