“Many companies are viewing this (diesel taxi ban) as a death knell for the BPM industry given practical challenges like long waiting at CNG Stations, limited vehicles, no technology to convert diesel to CNG, insurance and warranty of retrofitted vehicles etc. Companies wish to comply but where are the cabs”, the statement added.
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After the government sought a relaxation in the complete ban on diesel-run cabs, which came into effect in Delhi-NCR from May 1, the Supreme Court’s decision occurred. “They might shift to other countries”, he told a bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur.
The Supreme Court’s ban on commercial diesel vehicles in Delhi is hitting taxi drivers and the transport business hard.
“With far reaching effects, this ban may also adversely impact the efforts made by the Government to promote the BPO industry”, it said.
He also argued that CNG-run buses can not enter small lanes and by-lanes to drop women employees to their doorstep at night, The Times of India reported.
“The government earns a lot of revenue through the operation of BPOs and enforcing the ban on them may drive them out of the country.” said Ranjit Kumar, Solicitor General appearing for the Centre.
The apex court asked the counsel to give the road map on the issues being discussed.
EPCA also said the existing diesel cabs can be allowed till the expiry of their five years licence period and the permits should not be renewed after the expiry.
The Delhi government said it would follow the roadmap presented by the EPCA if the apex court accepted it Monday, the day scheduled for the hearing on the matter.
The AAP government had said that in the wake of Supreme Court’s order around 30,000 diesel taxis have stopped plying in the national capital which is causing inconvenience to the common people and creating a law and order situation.
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The court had on December 16 past year considered the contention of senior advocate Harish Salve, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae, that all diesel taxis be moved to CNG fuel within a reasonable time but not later than March 1, 2016.
