BS-IV vehicle sales: Auto dealers, FADA invite SC wrath for flouting norms

Court allowed for sale of only 1.05 lakh BS-IV vehicles; however, 2.55 lakh were sold

PTI12_30_2019_000084B The Supreme Court had in March extended the March 31 deadline for the sale of BS-IV vehicles in India, giving an extension of 10 days, post the end of the lockdown period | PTI

The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on automobile dealers and Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations of India (FADA) for flouting norms related to the sales and registration of BS-IV vehicles during the relaxations granted by the court during the lockdown. The Supreme Court had in March extended the March 31 deadline for the sale of BS-IV vehicles in India, giving an extension of 10 days, post the end of the lockdown period.

It had allowed the sale of BS-IV compliant vehicles for 10 days, barring in Delhi-NCR, in view of the countrywide COVID lockdown announced on March 25. The apex court, which had earlier fixed the deadline of March 31, 2020 for sale of BS IV compliant vehicles across the country, passed the order on a plea by Federation of Automobile Dealers’ Association (FADA), which had sought extension of time for sale of their unsold inventory amid coronavirus scare and economic slowdown.

The top court said that it allowed the sale and registration of 1.05 lakh BS-IV vehicles and now that number has been exceeded. Instead, the Supreme Court noted that over 2.55 lakh BS-IV vehicles have been sold.

The apex court sought details of sale and registration by FADA by Friday. It also sought a report from the Ministry of Road and Transport to submit details of BS-IV vehicles sold and registered after the court's order dated March 27. 

Appearing on behalf of FADA, senior advocate K.V. Vishwanathan had sought a further extension of the deadline for the sale and registration of BS-IV-compliant vehicles till May-end.