Jairam continues war against diesel-guzzlers

A couple of weeks after union minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh declared war on diesel-guzzling sports utility vehicles (SUVs) – much to the alarm of car manufacturers – the minister renewed his charge on Tuesday.

Ramesh reiterated his accusation that the use of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in India is criminal, and said that SUV owners should pay the full market price of diesel rather than the subsidised price.

Earlier, Ramesh had recommended an extra tax on diesel-guzzling large vehicles (See: Diesel SUVs are 'socially useless vehicles': Jairam Ramesh). Perhaps, unfortunately, he named German manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and BMW as the main culprits, rather than Indian manufacturers like Mahindra & Mahindra or Tata Motors.

''The luxurious growth of large-size vehicles like SUVs is really a cause for concern ... the use of vehicles like SUVs and BMW in countries like India is criminal.''

Both Mercedes and BMW were quick to riposte that they had some of the cleanest diesel technologies in the world, and words to the effect that Ramesh was talking through his hat.

''The diesel subsidy was introduced for a certain economic purpose but it has ended up with a wholly different purpose. They (SUV owners) should pay full market price of diesel ... why should they get subsidised fuel meant for farmers?'' Ramesh iterated on Tuesday while speaking at the '5th sustainability summit: Asia 2010' in New Delhi.