E-rickshaw permit: SC junks Bajaj Auto plea

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea by Bajaj Auto against AAP Government’s decision to issue 4,261 new permits only to e-autos, saying Delhi residents are badly affected by air pollution, a part of which is contributed by vehicles. The top court said even though CNG auto rickshaws are BS-VI compliant, there is still some carbon emission.

A bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao said the advertisement issued by the Delhi Government inviting applications for e-autorickshaws cannot be said to be arbitrary as it is in conformity with FAME-II scheme and the Electric Vehicle policy 2020. “Residents of Delhi are badly affected by the air pollution, undoubtedly a part of which is contributed by vehicles.