Supreme Court invites Nitin Gadkari to Court on issues related to EVs

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed willingness to interact with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to consider issues related to the procurement of electric vehicles (EVs), which could play a major role in curbing air pollution, for public transport and setting up charging infrastructure for these vehicles in the country.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant asked Additional Solicitor General N.S. Nadkarni if the minister can come over for interaction on this matter, and assist the Court. “Could the minister come to the Supreme Court and explain the proposal to introduce vehicles run on electricity/hydrogen,” the Court queried. Nadkarni replied this may send a wrong message and political color get added to it, otherwise, the minister would be happy to come to the top Court.

As the Court clarified that there is nothing political about it, he also said that there was nothing wrong with politicians coming to the Court. The Court said: “We understand Prashant Bhushan is a political person, but he will not argue with the Minister”.

The observation from the top Court came during the hearing on the plea of an NGO, represented by Bhushan, on the implementation of the National E-Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP), 2020. According to this scheme, the government was to procure electric vehicles.

The apex court, in its order, clarified it would like to consider issues related to EVs with the “assistance of an authority” empowered to take decisions.

Speaking to IANS later, Nadkarni clarified: “The observation from the top Court was an invite to the Transport Minister”. The top Court also recommended the government to explore possibilities of making EVs affordable. Bhushan argued under the scheme the authorities were supposed to encourage the sale of EVs through subsidies, and also provide charging infrastructure at public places like malls and petrol pumps.

Bhushan told the apex court that the government claimed by 2020, seven million EVs will be on roads, but not even a quarter million are there. (IANS)

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