In a tough message to carmakers producing vehicles that run on traditional fuel, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday asked them to go for alternative fuels, or else he would not mind in 'bulldozing' them to check pollution and imports.
Cautioning against any dilly-dallying tactics and ensuring crystal-clear policy of the Government, he said the future is not of petrol and diesel, but of an alternative fuel. The Government has already prepared a Cabinet note on electric vehicles, which will take care of charging stations.
“We should move towards alternative fuel. I am going to do this, whether you like it or not. And I am not going to ask you. I will bulldoze it. For pollution, for imports, my ideas are crystal clear. The Government has a crystal-clear policy to reduce imports and curb pollution,” Gadkari said at an annual convention of the 57th Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in New Delhi.
“Already, we are in the process of a Cabinet note where we are going to plan charging stations. It is in the last stage and will be done as early as possible. The Government will soon bring in a policy on electric vehicles,” he added.
Talking tough again on businesses of carmakers, he said those supporting the Government will have an advantage and those busy 'minting money' will be in trouble, asking them not to approach the Government later on the ground that they have huge stock of vehicles that do not run on alternative fuel.
“I urge you (carmakers) politely to do research. First, when I urged you for electric vehicles, you said battery is costly. I coaxed you to start at least. Now, the batteries cost 40 per cent less. And if you start now, cost will be reduced further on mass production. Teething trouble is everywhere,” he explained.
He also sought to put the entire issue in perspective, saying imports and pollution are the twin problems as India's import bill stood at a huge Rs 7 lakh crore per annum, a big drag on the economy. “Now, the Government has decided to start 15 industries for second generation ethanol. Ethanol can easily be produced from agro-based cotton straw, wheat straw, rice straw, bagass and bamboo. Alternative fuel is import substitute, cost effective and pollution free,” Gadkari added.
Assuring to solve the GST issues that face automakers in the country, he said it would be sorted out soon. “Now, the GST Council is formed. We are preparing the note. I am going to the Finance Minister and after that, we will move this Cabinet note. In the GST Council, we will present the note and take opinion of stakeholders. There are some concessions we are expecting from State Governments,” the Minister said.