Diesel ban banned

SIAM criticizes SC’s diesel car ban, calls it “against fundamental right to do business” – Full Statement

Diesel ban banned

Honourable Supreme Court’s recent decision to ban diesel cars with a cubic capacity of 2000 cc or above in the National Capital Region (NCR) has sparked much debate among the industry representatives and the common folk alike. Supreme Court is of the opinion that bigger diesel engines pollute the environment more severely with their particulate emissions, affecting the health of the citizens, and thus should not be allowed to ply in the NCR, which is already reeling under heavy amounts of air pollution.

With all due respect to the Honourable Supreme Court, the topic of diesel vs petrol engine pollution has evoked much debate in modern times as modern diesels are generally perceived to be clean. The apex court, however, has refused to entertain any arguments trying to quantify the pollution caused by diesel vs petrol cars. According to the SC, “it is settled for us that diesel pollutes more and we will not reconsider it”. Their understanding on the subject is based on the court’s conclusion in 1998 to replace all diesel powered bus with CNG run units. So while one can argue that the diesel engine technology has made giant leaps since 1998, and diesel powered cars are not the smoke spewing monsters they once used to be, the court doesn’t appreciate the view.

SIAM-logo

As it reaction on the matter, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers has issued a statement “highlighing facts on diesel car ban”. The statement makes some strong, and somewhat valid points. One of the strongest points put forth by the body being, how can cars which are in compliance with the law of the land, and have been duly tested and approved by government appointed competent bodies be termed illegal all of a sudden. The body also raises its concern on the message such bans send across to the global investors, and the resultant negative sentiment it evokes about the stability in policy compliance.

Here’s the full text of the statement issued by SIAM, defending its case for selling higher capacity diesel cars in the NCR

29th April 2016, New Delhi- Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex Industry body representing leading vehicle and vehicular engine manufacturers in India today has put forward some of the facts with reference to the Ban being exercised by the Supreme Court on diesel passenger cars of 2000cc and above engine capacity.

As per the study conducted recently by IIT Kanpur which indicates that all types of Passenger Cars as a whole contribute to only 2% of the PM 2.5 pollution load in NCT. Out of this 2%, all diesel cars are estimated to contribute only 1.5% of the PM 2.5 pollution load. Further BS-IV diesel cars contribute only 0.5 % of PM 2.5 emissions.

All diesel cars being manufactured today are compliant to the current emission norms set by Government of India, Compliant vehicles can never be considered as “polluting”, and the “polluter pays” principle cannot be applied, unless there is a violation of the notified emission norms. The automotive industry has made significant investments in diesel technology which are in accordance with the Investment Policies of Government. As such, putting any restrictions or bans on a legally compliant industry tantamount to an infringement of the fundamental right to do business in the country.

According to SIAM, ban on diesel vehicle is not going to achieve the desired objective of reducing pollution, but will vilify diesel technology which has gone through a major transformation over the last 15 years and today is highly clean, as well as energy efficient. A ban on BS IV diesel cars legally encourages old and highly polluting vehicles not meeting the current emission norms, to continue plying on the road, while not allowing new vehicles compliant with current emission norms to be used. This is contra to the objective of the ban. It also gives an impression that there is no stability or predictability in the policy regime which will deeply dent the country’s global image as an investment destination and the ‘Make in India’ priority. Many auto MNCs have already taken a decision to freeze further investments in India until complete clarity is achieved on key policy issues which can have a bearing on their business prospects in India.

The auto industry with a total size of approximately Rs. 600,000 crores contribute almost half of the Manufacturing GDP of the country and employs more than 31 million persons direct and indirect. According to Government’s Automotive Mission Plan (AMP), the auto industry has the potential to employ a further 65 million persons in the next 10 years. The task before Government now is to arrive at a unified stand on major policy issues like the diesel case and clarify the policy to the Courts, as well as globally.

What’s your view on the subject? Do you think the points put forth by the SIAM make sense, or are you in favour of the ban? Do let us know your thoughts with your arguments and counter-arguments

 

6 thoughts on “SIAM criticizes SC’s diesel car ban, calls it “against fundamental right to do business” – Full Statement”

  1. Hi Lokesh, following is the official word of the honorable SC on the matter – “Don’t you think this court has already concluded against diesel when it ordered conversion of all diesel-run buses in Delhi to CNG? It is settled for us that diesel pollutes more and we will not reconsider it. We will proceed on this basis”. Hope this satisfies you.

  2. On one hand SIAM is right when the quote “Law of Land” in their favour. At the same time, this same SIAM continues supporting substandard safety cars in India while selling better counterparts in overseas markets again under the guise of “Law of Land”. As much as I support fair business opportunities, national interests must come first and surely SIAM cannot be trusted to keep national interests ahead of business interests. SC is right, but this will affect foreign investment sentiments in India. There should be a better solution and notifications should be given in advance or guidelines should be set which mandate that such bans would come in place the moment air gets polluted to a certain extent.

    Also dear author, you said SC is referring to a 1998 passing on diesel buses for implementing current car ban but could not provide a quote from SC saying that. Please make statements with valid proofs. Thank You.

  3. If government has provided a proper solution to conversion of the car with standards that too in a phase wise manner rather than asking all people at once would have been a less chaos and easy on people.

  4. Firstly, our delhi city never become a pollution free city. Secondly, not only cars polluting the city but the smoke coming through factory also pollutes the city. Thirdly. Companie like Land Rover, Mercedes, BMW, Audi etc. who have the SUV’s of above 2000cc engine will no go in losss. In 2015, above 10 year cars will ban rule has applied which hamper a common man life now this rule will creates more problems for middle class man. Not only cars pollute but factories , the seawers also

  5. SIAMs arguments are BS. Assume for a moment that all indians are equally wealthy and all of them are able to afford 2L Diesel SUVs which have passed BS-IV. Do you think that Delhi will have cleaner air than a future where all indians are driving 1L Diesel SUVs which have passed BS-IV ? Its not about the emissions, its about the per capita emissions.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top