The Delhi government on Thursday informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) about the ‘slight change’ in its stance on exemptions to be made in the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme.
The government had on Wednesday told the Bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar that the vehicle rationing scheme will be implemented in consonance with the ‘court’s order’.
Action plan
“The Transport Department will launch the odd-even scheme as per the direction of the NGT,” read the 14-point action plan submitted by the government to the Tribunal on Wednesday.
When the Bench asked the government about the same, the counsel for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government said the review petition filed by it was pending before the court.
“Are you clear about your stand on exemptions, about which you made a very big statement yesterday [on Wednesday]?” the Bench asked the government.
“There will be a slight change. The review petition has been filed and it is with the Registry” said the counsel appearing for the government.
In a bid to tackle air pollution in the Capital, the green panel had on November 11 directed the State government to implement the car rationing scheme without exempting women drivers and two-wheelers. However, the government had filed a review petition before the Tribunal seeking modification in the order.
The NGT will now hear the review petition on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Tribunal pulled up Punjab and Haryana for not providing a comprehensive action plan on tackling air pollution. Dissatisfied with the action plans submitted by the States, the Bench said, “Why have you referred to the graded action plan? Why don’t you apply your own brains? How have you bifurcated the pollution levels, which will be co-relatable with actions to be taken?”
Earlier judgments
Further, the green panel asked the States to refer to previous judgments passed by the Tribunal with regard to air pollution, and provide suggestions and alterations to the directions which can be taken into consideration by the panel.
Referring to the improvement in the Capital’s air quality since Wednesday because increased wind speed and slight drizzle, the Bench said, “What the might of the State cannot do, nature can do in one minute. So learn something and respect nature. All of you without exceptions are bent on destroying nature.”
