Diesel is dirty

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has breathtakingly dubbed as ‘senseless’ and 'without any scientific basis' some of the decisions of the Supreme Court and the NGT regarding the ban on private diesel cars above a certain capacity. As Defence Minister, Parrikar has no locus standi in the matter. But it must be presumed he would know that all of Europe is coming around to the view that was also expressed by the apex court in March - diesel is a dirtier fuel than petrol. The debate is over. It is revealing that it is the Ministry of Heavy Industry that has moved the NGT against the ban, not the Health or Environment Ministry.

If the government were able to see a little beyond the immediate, it would see the writing on the wall. Globally, the trend is unmistakably clear. It is only a matter of time and a few cycles of debate before private cars with diesel engines go off the roads. The auto industry can either invest more in the technology and be forced to abandon it later, or cut its losses right now. On behalf of the government, Finance Minister Jaitley has remarked that the “Indian auto sector is extremely comfortably placed”, and would not be shaken by the ban. Listening to the alarmist auto or petroleum sector has done no good for any country ever, including the US. A significant part of the responsibility for today's pollution problem, or the petro-wars racking the Middle East, may justifiably be placed at this noxious industry's door.

The Supreme Court is due to hear the matter in detail when it reconvenes after its current vacation. Taking any dramatic stands till then is not warranted, including on the NGT’s part. Meanwhile, would the government also care to bring to the table data on the health cost, i.e., if it has done any such study?