Use of SUVs in India ‘criminal’: Jairam Ramesh

Environment minister Jairam Ramesh today lashed out at the 'criminal' use of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and other high-powered cars and called for an effective fuel policy regime that would discourage their use.

''The growth of luxurious large-size vehicles including SUVs is a cause of concern,'' Ramesh noted while addressing a conference in Delhi. ''The use of SUVs in countries like India is criminal.''

Calling for a review of the fuel policy regime, he said subsidising diesel in effect meant subsidising the owners of SUVs and luxury models, not farmers. ''We have a reformed policy as far as petrol is concerned,'' he pointed out. ''We are yet to reform as far as the net effect of diesel subsidy is concerned.''

Products like LPG and kerosene should be subsidised, and not petrol and diesel, he added.

The subsidies which are given for fossil fuels should be for farmers. He suggested implementing fiscal policy regime that discourage the use of heavy cars and SUVs particularly and put penalty use of these vehicles.

The subsidies which are given for fossil fuels should be for farmers, LPG, etc, which is used by big vehicles. He suggested implementing fiscal policy regime that discourage the use of heavy cars and SUVs particularly and put penalty use of these vehicles.