1% cess not even a token, environmentalists on SC order

SC appointed EPCA recommended high pollution cess of up to 25% on cost of diesel cars above 2,000 cc

The imposition of one per cent cess on high-end diesel cars and SUVs having engine capacity of 2000cc and above in Delhi and NCR was "too low" and would not even act as a deterrent, environmentalists said on Friday.

Although the ruling amounted to an "in principle acceptance" that diesel was indeed polluting, Centre for Science and Environment Director General Sunita Narain and Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) Chairman Bhurelal said.

"The industry was arguing that diesel is not polluting at all. At least that has been established wrong. But the quantum of the cess is too low. It is not even a deterrent, not even a token," Narain said.

Bhurelal echoed these views saying that by imposing the cess, Court had at least agreed that diesel pollutes.

The Supreme Court-appointed EPCA had recommended high pollution cess of up to 25 per cent on the cost of diesel cars above 2,000 cc.

"The battle is not over yet. The Court has said it will take up the issue of whether green cess can be levied on diesel vehicles of below 2000cc engine capacity," Narain said.

The Supreme Court today lifted its embargo on registration of high-end diesel cars and SUVs having engine capacity of 2000cc and above in Delhi and National Capital Region on payment of one per cent of the ex-showroom price of such vehicles as green cess.