It has been reported that come April the centre is going to impose a hefty increase in the registration-renewal fee for ‘old’ vehicles (15 years and older) ostensibly because their emission norms are outdated. This decision by the government is not fair as it must be stressed that not old model vehicles are the same. Saving the environment is good but blanket rules are bad. If the vehicle meets emission norms why not allow people to continue using it. Disposing of vehicles and churning out new ones may line the government’s coffers but it will just be bad for the environment in the end. A buy-and-trash culture is overtaking the world and the environment is suffering. Instead of buying a good quality product that will last for years, people are buying cheap Chinese made goods and replacing them every year. Often the family car has sentimental value for the typical Indian family. If the car is working fine and meeting norms the owner should not be pressurised into scrapping it and buying a new one. This move will only benefit car manufacturers and the government which will just get more money on every transaction.
