NGT asks Centre to frame incentive policy for scrapping vehicles

On July 20 NGT asks the Ministry to take a view with regard to scrapping of vehicles and publicise benefits associated with it

The National Green Tribunal on Monday directed the Ministry of Heavy Industries to expeditiously frame policy with regard to scrapping of vehicles and publicise benefits associated with it for persons who opt for it.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said more than a year has passed since its directions in this regard but nothing has been done till date.

"You made tall claims before us that you are going to provide incentive for scrapping of vehicles, but did nothing. You say something before us and forget as you step outside the tribunal.

"Ministry of heavy industries had assured us that it was in the process of providing methodology and incentives to those scrapping their vehicles...We direct the ministry to take clear instructions in this regard," the bench said.

The green panel also directed Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh governments to hold meeting with chief secretary of Delhi govt for identifying land in border areas to park vehicles banned from plying in Delhi NCR.

During the hearing, advocate Balendu Shekhar, appearing for Ministry of Heavy Industries, informed the bench that it was in talks with the Ministry of Finance and was examining the viability of scrapping policy.

He also said that the Ministry has also written to the state governments to give their views on scrapping policy but no response has been received till date.

The tribunal had on July 20 this year asked the Ministry to take a view with regard to scrapping of vehicles and publicise benefits associated with it which would be provided to persons who opt for such a policy, while barring entry of 15 to 10 year old diesel vehicles with national permits in Delhi NCR.

It had said deregistration of 15 to 10 year old diesel vehicles in the national capital would be carried out in a phased manner, adding that diesel vehicles which are 15 years old should be deregistered first and will not get No Objection Certificate (NoC) for plying outside Delhi-NCR.

Only de-registered diesel vehicles which are less than 15 years old can get NoC for plying in select areas outside Delhi-NCR, to be decided by states where vehicle density is less, it had said.

The green panel had also asked the states to identify areas where dispersion of air is higher and vehicle density is less. It had said that the Regional Transport Officers (RTO) in Delhi will issue NOC only for those areas which have been identified by the states.