SC-appointed body replies to queries, says govt can’t put entire onus on corporations

This comes three days after the SC’s directions mandating an Environmental Cess Collection (ECC) on the trucks was to have been initiated. The EPCA, in its reply, accessed by The Indian Express, said the cess should be deposited in the account of the Delhi government through the transport department every Friday. The top court directed the Delhi government to implement its order. The toll collected by the private partner goes to the South Delhi Municipal Corporation.

[related-post]

The EPCA directed that the Delhi government put up information of ECC rates at toll points and also authorised the concessionaire to contact the police for protection of its staff. This came in response to concerns raised about traffic snarls at border posts and risk of “physical injury and vandalism” by drivers.

The Delhi government had criticised the SDMC Monday for failing to implement the SC order, after M/S SMYR Consortium LLP, the toll collector, issued a legal notice stating its reservations in implementing the ECC.

EPCA chairman Dr Bhure Lal said, “The SC is very clear in its directions that the Delhi government should implement the order. The Delhi government cannot put the entire onus of ensuring cess collection on the corporations. We have sought cooperation from the state government and corporations…”

Sunita Narain, director general of the Centre for Science and Environment and EPCA member, said it is imperative agencies coordinate to ensure the SC’s order is implemented. “The concessionaire is in contempt of the SC’s orders. We have prepared this reply after speaking to authorities from all agencies, requesting cooperation to ensure there is some regulation on trucks entering Delhi this winter,” said Narain.

Among directions issued by EPCA 

* All vehicles, irrespective of their monthly pass status or the number of trips they make, will have to go through the toll lanes and pay Environmental Cess Collection on every trip.

* Trucks partly carrying goods exempted from ECC, such as food grains, and partly non-exempted goods would have to pay ECC.

* Concessionaire authorised to pursue vehicles which evade ECC and charge a penalty equal to ECC amount or Rs 2,000, all of which has to be submitted to the ECC account. Now, when the consortium chases vehicles who evade toll tax, the concessionaire can charge a maximum penalty of Rs 500, a majority of which will be taken by them.

* No service tax applicable on ECC.