STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: To reduce the carbon footprint caused by vehicle emissions, the Assam Government has given its nod to the policy of scrapping vehicles which are more than 15 years old. Under this policy, more than 2,000 old and unfit vehicles have been scrapped. Most of these vehicles were government vehicles and around 100 were private vehicles.
However, sources said that the scrapping of old and unfit vehicles is not progressing at the desired pace. This is due to an insufficient number of Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs) where the vehicles are scrapped, and a lack of awareness among people about the government’s scrapping policy.
There are only two RSVFs in Assam – one in Amingaon and the other at Rangia. “The number of old private vehicles being scrapped is very low because there is a lack of awareness among people. They are not aware of the benefits of scrapping their old vehicles or how to get their vehicles scrapped. So they continue using their old and polluting vehicles,” said sources.
There are benefits of the government’s scrapping policy for vehicle owners. Around 75% of their outstanding MV (Motor Vehicle) taxes and other dues will be waived off if they offer their old vehicles for scrapping. Moreover, the vehicle owners get a ‘certificate of deposit’ after their old vehicles are scrapped. When the vehicle owner goes to buy a new car, he gets a rebate in Motor Vehicle tax.
When a vehicle owner submits his vehicle for scrapping at an RSVF, the RSVF apparatus gives the vehicle owner a certificate of deposit in exchange for the vehicle being scrapped. This certificate is generated digitally at the Vahan portal.
However, as most vehicle owners do not even know what is a certificate of deposit and there is lack of clarity on the benefits of vehicle scrapping, they re-register their vehicles which are more than 15 years old at the District Transport Office (DTO). Based on the fitness of the vehicles, they are re-registered for another 5 years. To discourage vehicle owners from re-registration of their old vehicles, the government has decided to impose a green tax.
Sources said that usually, private vehicles do not cause pollution even if they are 15-20 years old because they are maintained well. But government and commercial vehicles, due to their heavy usage, cause a lot of pollution. The older these vehicles get, the more smoke they emit, causing pollution.
Sources further said that some time back, there were vigorous checks on the fitness of commercial vehicles. This drive has slowly lost its steam now, added sources. “The government’s vehicle scrapping policy aims to reduce pollution, improve fuel efficiency, improve road safety and promote recycling of vehicle scrap in a scientific manner. But unless vehicle owners are made aware of the benefits of this policy, it will not yield the desired results,” said sources.
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