Gushing gas
The Supreme Court ruling of April 5, 2002 is momentous. It moves away from the beaten track of issuing deadlines, expecting the government to think through and implement the cng order. This time the three Judge bench headed by Justice B N Kirpal has simply detailed out an implementation strategy for the government to act upon. The ruling hits hard at the government's incompetence, even to perform its administrative role, by reminding it of its fundamental duty to protect right to life and thus people's health.
This ruling came after extensive hearing on all niggling issues, including availability, supply and allocation of cng, issues of ultra low sulphur diesel and doubts about cng technology being experimental. The direction is comprehensive and conclusive. It is expected to put the cng controversy at rest unless the bjp led central government once again tries to be subversive as is evident from the ongoing move to kill it with an ordinance. Fortunately, the Congress led state government has been more responsible in its reaction and action. Both the governments will have to get their act together and implement the order.
Slapping a fine on the Union government for repeatedly seeking review of the order and thus abusing the process of the Court, has signaled a strong message. The government will have to drop its saboteur stance. At a time when both the central and state governments are out to stymie the small cng market with harsher taxes, the Court has shown where the fiscal penalty should be imposed
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