Panaji: In some major criticism of the Supreme Court’s decision to impose a ban on diesel SUVs, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that the decision was one that implied a "senseless direction which do not have a scientific basis".
Parrikar further said that the decision lacked logic and could have far-reaching consequences in terms of investments into India.
"We do not understand the logic of banning diesel vehicles. Ban a diesel vehicle which is polluting, we understand it. But what is the point in banning a diesel vehicle which may not pollute and may even be less polluting than a petrol vehicle. It implies senseless directions which do not have a scientific base.
“People who do not understand science have begun to interpret science. This is our misfortune," Parrikar said. while speaking at a public function in Panaji.
"I was reading a report about Mercedes Benz company. They have stopped investment in India because they say the decisions of the court are beyond the limit of understanding. (They say) we don't understand the logic of banning diesel vehicles," Parrikar said.
He said he was astonished at some of the decisions of the judiciary and cited a personal experience when there was an order that he should be booked as Home Minister in Goa.
"When there was the old Aguada jail, there was an inmate who died due to food poisoning. A famous lawyer known for filing cases went to a judge, threatened him and through him got an order that the Home Minister (Parrikar) be booked under Section 304 of IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder)."
In December last year, the apex court had imposed a ban on fresh registrations of diesel SUVs and cars with capacity of 2000ccs and above in Delhi. The deicison was taken with a view to tackle the rising levels of pollution in the national capital.
