Pollution

On Monday, a report from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said about 20 million vehicles accumulated by 2015 are obsolete and require scrapping.

Anumita Roy Chowdury, executive director of CSE, said on Tuesday that it was important to get the policy framework right. “Because scrapping policy has to be combined with proper end-oflife regulation. First, you have to have the infrastructure for scrapping. Manufacturers should be made responsible to ensure the metal and material are reused to maximum. They will also have to be made responsible for end of life disposal of vehicles,” she said.

Since the scheme will require a huge network of automobile scrapping facilities, the PMO also wants the ministry to start such facilities on a pilot basis for “gaining experience,” the second official added. The third official said the ministry is going through the directions given by the PMO.

The road ministry had proposed in its cabinet note that the scheme will be voluntary only till 2020, after which it will be compulsory for owners to scrap commercial vehicles older than 20 years. As per the proposal, until the 2020 deadline kicks, owners of such vehicles can voluntarily scrap their vehicles and receive a discount on the purchase of new ones, the second official added.

Following a meeting in March, the PMO directed the road ministry to put up a proposal before the cabinet in three months. It also asked the ministry to “explore” the establishment of scrapping facilities on the so-called “Swiss challenge mode,” given that such facilities would require vast tracts of land that may not be readily available in many states.

Under this method, the government would receive an unsolicited proposal from a person/ company that is put online. A second person can then submit a counter proposal; if the original proposer fails to match the terms, the project will be awarded to the latter. A senior official of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers said the policy first needs to be fleshed out properly.

“For instance, the industry has not taken a call on how much incentive they need to give... Many are running at a loss so incentives can’t be too high. Also where are the scrapping centres? Such centres have to be sure of the volume (they will handle) before they start.” received injuries in the clash.

On getting information, VC Sushil Solomon, professors and security guards reached the Farmers’ Hostel but by then senior students had managed to escape.