The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday claimed that public pressure forced the BJP-led Delhi government to withdraw the controversial ban on refuelling overage vehicles, calling it a “victory of the people”.
Last month in May, the Delhi government issued a standard operating procedure on the fuel ban for older vehicles in Delhi. However, just a few days after implementing the scheme, the step was taken back by the authorities.
As per the government’s directions, the Commission for Air Quality Management (AQM) issued directions to fuel stations that no end-of-life vehicles should be given fuel from July 1.
Reacting to what the Aam Aadmi Party thinks is a win for the public, the Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj, through a video on X, said, “Congratulations to the people of Delhi. The draconian order to seize old vehicles had to be withdrawn by Delhi`s BJP government. The BJP was merely using the court`s order as an excuse. When people united and raised their voices, the government had to bow down. In this country, the people are supreme, and no one`s tyranny lasts forever.”
Bharadwaj, while posting on X, also accused the BJP government of “hypocrisy” in selectively using court orders to suit its agenda.
“The government said it was following the Supreme Court`s direction. But when a five-judge bench ruled that Delhi`s officers should report to the elected government, the BJP brought an ordinance to overturn it. If they respect the courts so much, why not then? And why backtrack now?” He asked.
Earlier in the day, the Delhi government sent a communication to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), stating that implementing a fuel ban on overaged vehicles – those older than 10 years for diesel and 15 years for petrol – was not feasible due to technological and administrative challenges.
As reported by PTI, the Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa acknowledged the public discontent around the order. He said the ban, initiated by the previous AAP regime, should be enforced uniformly across the NCR during the press conference.
However, since July 1, Delhi`s transport department and police have started impounding such vehicles at petrol pumps, as per the court-mandated ban. AAP leaders said the party stands firmly with affected citizens and will continue to raise their concerns.
(With PTI Inputs)