New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the central government and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on a plea seeking steps for putting in place stringent emission standards for the diesel-run vehicles.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice AK Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw on Wednesday sought response from the ministry of environment and forests and the CPCB by Sep 5. The petition was filed by A Narayanan.
Pollution check. Reuters
The court also issued notice to the ministeries of petroleum and natural gas and finance and asked them to file reply by Sep 5.
A petition sought direction to replace old diesel vehicles if they failed to meet the new emission standards.
“Take adequate steps immediately to prescribe stringent emission standards on all appropriate parameters such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and lead for diesel vehicles uniformly throughout the country so as to control and reduce air pollution and protect the health and wellbeing of citizens,” it said.
“The subsidy policy of the government is promoting the sale of diesel and aggravating pollution,” it said.
It was also suggested to the court through the PIL to direct the government to implement the emission standards adopted by other countries.
“Apart from the economic burden to the exchequer and pecuniary advantage to the diesel engine sector, this subsidy is leading to a huge burden on public health on account of high environmental pollution caused by the ‘dieselisation’ of the car sector…,” it said.
IANS
