Punitive Purge

The Delhi government must explore existing technologies to conduct highly accurate, tamper-proof, real-time emission assessments

- AKSHAY MALHOTRA

AKSHAY MALHOTRA IS A DELHI-BASED ADVOCATE, PUBLIC POLICY PROFESSIONAL, AND CLIMATE-TECH ENTREPRENEUR WITH A BACKGROUND IN LAW, GOVERNANCE, AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Delhi's pollution crisis is real and demands urgent, targeted action. But the age-based blanket ban on vehicles is a blunt instrument in a fight that requires surgical precision. The assumption that all vehicles beyond a certain age are inherently polluting is flawed and unscientific. Vehicles are not pollutants by birthdate. Emissions depend on maintenance, usage, fuel quality, and technological compliance, not just the date on a registration certificate. But the government decided to exercise a one-size-fits-all policy. Credit to the public outcry, the government has been forced to reconsider its decision.

This policy de facto criminalizes ownership of older cars without proper regard for their working conditions. It makes it mandatory to de-register these cars, bans refuelling of the same, and makes them ineligible for re-registration, unless refurbished as electric cars in a process still not clearly defined and out of reach for the average man. The punitive nature of this policy is particularly insulting when viewed against the huge taxes that are paid by citizens at the point of vehicle purchase comprising GST, road tax, registration charges, and green cess.