Environmentalists for tax on diesel cars
Environmentalists have come out in strong support of minister for petroleum and natural gas S. Jaipal Reddy’s proposal to impose a 15 per cent duty on all diesel-run passenger vehicles.
The proposal has been sent to the ministry of finance for finalisation. The Kirit Parikh committee had earlier recommended a one-time additional excise tax of `80,000 on diesel cars.
The subsidy on diesel has led to a situation where consumption by private vehicles — passenger cars and SUVs — exceeds consumption by public transport, including railways, and the agricultural sectors.
According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the country is ignoring the severe health impacts of “dieselisation” of the country’s cities which are reeling under rising levels of nitrogen.
“Cars use up 15 per cent of the total diesel in the country compared to 12 per cent by buses and agriculture each, 10 per cent by industry, and six per cent by the railways,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of CSE who looks after clean transportation and air pollution wings.
Diesel vehicles are emitting several times the amount of particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen compared to petrol cars.
Sulphur levels of diesel being sold in the EU and the US remain low and average at around 10 parts per million, while sulphur levels of diesel being sold in India’s metros are 50 parts per million while in the rest of the country, sulphur levels of diesel are as high as 350 parts per million.
The sale of this ultra-low diesel in India will allow vehicle manufactures to install particulate filters that will reduce toxic emissions. This will help bring air pollution levels radically.
Groups of environmentalists have been pressing Mr Reddy to introduce this high-quality diesel but, if introduced, it will serve to raise the price of diesel substantially and that could trigger inflation further.
Mr Reddy feels pressing for a higher tax on individually-owned diesel vehicles will help push down sales of vehicles.
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