Nitin Gadkari Proposes 10 Percent Additional Tax on Diesel Vehicles as Pollution Tax

Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has proposed 10 percent additional GST on diesel vehicles in the country as pollution tax. Gadkari was speaking at the SIAM 63rd Annual Convention in Delhi.

“We should aim at becoming the world’s No. 1 automobile manufacturer and I am confident of achieving the target under PM Modi’s leadership. However, there is a hurdle; in order to become competitive in the global market, we will have to cut down our logistic costs,” said Gadkari.

Shri Nitin_Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister, further expressed, “This is the right time to transition from diesel and petrol to biofuels, alternative fuels and energy sources for Mobility.”

However, a few minutes later, Nitin Gadkari issued clarification on his official account at social networking website X, which reads, “There is an urgent need to clarify media reports suggesting an additional 10% GST on the sale of diesel vehicles. It is essential to clarify that there is no such proposal currently under active consideration by the government. In line with our commitments to achieve Carbon Net Zero by 2070 and to reduce air pollution levels caused by hazardous fuels like diesel, as well as the rapid growth in automobile sales, it is imperative to activelt embrace cleaner and greener alternative fuels. These fuels should be import substitutes, cost-effective, indigenous, and pollution-free.”