At a time when the whole world is trying to forge a consensus to cut the global greenhouse gas emissions to a significant level, the criticism of diesel guzzling SUVs(Sports Utility Vehicle) by Jairam Ramesh, Union Environment Minister of India looks a step in the right direction. He has even said that these expensive luxury vehicles should pay the full price of diesel rather than the subsidized one.
"I am not knocking the growth of the automotive industry but those who want to use diesel cars must pay the full market price for the fuel. Why should they get subsidized fuel meant for farmers?" he saidI vehemently support his outbursts against these cars. These SUV’s are infamous for being fuel guzzlers. In a poor country like India, with an acute problem of pollution and traffic congestion, a cheaper diesel further incentivizes the customers to continue with their private vehicles and discourages the government’s efforts to lure them towards the public mode of transport. The subsidy provided to different types of fuels is specifically meant for the rural and agriculture sector of our country. An upper or upper middle class person has no right to pay the same price for diesel as a farmer does. The government should seriously think of revising the diesel prices and make an effort to specifically target those strata of population which really needs that subsidy.
The auto manufacturers should also see the larger picture and try to invest more in the technology which makes their vehicles more fuel efficient. SUVs are clearly an anomaly and should be discouraged both by the consumers and producers.
"We need to move to a system which looks at rewarding or incentivise those companies that actually promote the objective of sustainable development, that promote energy conservation, water conservation and protection and preservation of natural resources.’’ Jairam ramesh said.
No comments:
Post a Comment