SC refuses to stay HC order on phasing-out old com vehicles

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to extend the July 31 deadline for phasing out 15-year-old diesel-powered commercial vehicles from Kolkata, saying any order at this stage would cause further chaos and confusion.

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to extend the July 31 deadline for phasing out 15-year-old diesel-powered commercial vehicles from Kolkata, saying any order at this stage would cause further chaos and confusion.

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“At this stage any extension of deadline would cause further chaos and confusion,” a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice B S Chauhan said refusing to stay the Calcutta High Court order directing the phase-out of such commercial vehicles, the deadline for which was July 31.

The Bench issued notice to the West Bengal Government on the petition filed by transporters’ associations challenging the notification issued by it for phasing out old commercial vehicles.

The apex court also sought response from citizens’ association Howrah Ganatantrik Nagarik Samity and others on whose PIL the High Court had passed the directions.

The apex court had on August four also declined to stay the High Court directions.

The transporters’ association Bengal Bus Syndicate and others contended that the state government did not have the power to issue a notification for phasing out 15-year-old vehicles as it is vested with the Centre.