Supreme Court seeks clarity on government's EV policy

According to a recent PTI report, the Supreme Court on February 19 expressed its desire to have an interaction with Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari on the proposal for gradual conversion of  all public transport and government vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) in an effort to curb air pollution.

The report says that a bench, headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde, enquired from Additional Solicitor General A N S Nadkarni as to whether the minister can come over for an interaction to assist this court on how the government planned to curb rising pollution levels. However, the PTI report specified that the apex court did not seek presence of the minister after Nadkarni raised an objection, saying the appearance of the minister can be misused for political purpose.

The Union Minister was called as the bench noted that Gadkari has been talking about use of alternative fuels in private and public transport, so the court would like to interact with him.

According to the report, the matter has been put for hearing after four weeks and the SC bench has ordered that in the meantime all issues relating to EVs be considered by the government with the assistance of an authority empowered to take decisions.