CSE for extra duty on big diesel cars

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Wednesday demanded an additional duty on big diesel cars to prevent misuse of subsidised fuel for luxury. HT reports.

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Wednesday demanded an additional duty on big diesel cars to prevent misuse of subsidised fuel for luxury.

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CSE executive director (research and advocacy) and head (air pollution and urban mobility) Anumita Roychowdhury said diesel cars are 40% of the total car sales and the fuel’s consumption has gone up by 6.4%. “Cheap diesel is pushing the market towards bigger cars that guzzle more fuel. Car industry is on an overdrive to produce bigger diesel cars,” she said.

While blaming the government for its inaction on the issue, the NGO hit out at the auto industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and vehicle manufacturers for “propagating false information” about diesel technology and amount of fuel consumed by cars and personal vehicles.

“Any car is a luxury. A car owner should not enjoy any subsidy. There should be additional duty on diesel cars to equalise the subsidy benefits given on diesel and petrol,” she said.