National Green Tribunal: In a relief to public sector oil companies, the National Green Tribunal has allowed registration of new diesel vehicles conforming to BS-IV norms to be used for transporting petrol or petroleum products. The order came after the oil companies told the Tribunal that they do not possess any diesel vehicle which is more than 10 years old for transporting petroleum products. The Commissioner of Transport Department of Delhi government has been directed to register the vehicles, subject to certain conditions, being –
· The new vehicles that are sought to be registered now should be BS-IV compliant.
· The said vehicle should be duly maintained and used only for exclusive purpose of carrying petroleum products and no other use.
· The applicants shall file an affidavit before the tribunal as well as before RTO that they do not possess or engage any diesel vehicle/truck which is more than 10-year-old for the purpose of transporting fuel granted by oil companies.
· Also details should be furnished of any other vehicles owned by the applicant in the form of affidavit.
The green panel further directed the department to “dismantle” old vehicles which are over 10 years of age and ordered that new vehicles should be fitted with Global Positioning Systems. The direction came on a plea filed by oil companies contending that the NGT had banned the registration of new diesel vehicles as well as re-registration of such vehicles after 10 years.
[Source: The Hindu BusinessLine]
