SC laments auto cos for non committal in phasing out BS-III

Siri, Apple Inc's voice- controlled personal assistant, could probably give a more definitive answer to questions.
This was a sarcastic comment by the Supreme Court as it criticised automobile majors for not giving definite answer to its repeated queries on the phasing out BS-III compliant vehicles which were not permitted for manufacture and sale after April 1.
"We questioned counsel for the interveners (auto firms) on the time required for disposal of the accumulated stock. No one gave any definite answer - the answers varied from about 5 and 6 months to one year and hedged in with conditions dependent upon market forces and slow moving models. Perhaps Siri would have given a more definite answer," a bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said.

The bench noted the submissions of the auto companies that, inherent in the manufacture of BS-III compliant vehicles, was their entitlement to sell such vehicles any time on or after April, 1 2017 until the accumulated stock is exhausted.
"Given the experience of the past, they legitimately expected that they would be allowed to clear the accumulated stock," it said.