In recent news surrounding the Delhi Diesel Ban, the Supreme Court of India has said that it is open to lift the ban on the registration of diesel cars over 2000cc in Delhi and NCR subject to a levy of one-time environment compensation cess. The bench asked senior lawyers appearing for automobile majors to explore possibility of levy of green cess at the time of registration of diesel cars and SUVs.
A bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices A K Sikri and R Banumathi said, “We are inclined to allow registration. We are open to the registration subject to some kind of one-time cess. Can you (lawyers for auto firms) ask your people to work out details as to what may be the cess to be levied on such vehicles with regard to the showroom price etc.”
The Supreme Court had issued a ban on the sale and registration of all diesel powered passenger vehicles with engine capacities exceeding 2000 cc in the Delhi-NCR region in December 2015. This ruling was aimed at curbing the alarming pollution levels in Delhi and the NCR region. The ban was first imposed till March 31st after which it was extended on two occasions, April 30 and May 9.
With inputs from PTI