Supreme Court expresses inclination to have discussion with Nitin Gadkari on issue of Electric Vehicles

The Supreme Court today expressed its inclination to call Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for holding a dialogue on the issue of implementation of government policy on electric vehicles..The Bench of Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and Justices BR Gavai and Surya Kant, however, fell short of extending the invitation eventually..The Court was hearing a PIL filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation on the issue of electric vehicles. CJI Bobde remarked that while aspects of air pollution such as stubble burning are discussed about, the largest source of pollution, that is vehicles, is not talked about often..The Chief Justice also noted how the Union Minister had made several public statements and the Court would in fact like to hear him. Therefore, he mulled over seeking Gadkari's personal presence..ASG Atmaram Nadkarni, representing the Centre, told the Court that while the Minister in question would not be opposed to or have trouble being present in Court to render assistance, the same may be used politically..The Court, however, at this point, clarified amply that the Minister was not being summoned, but that it only wished to hear him on the issue. CJI Bobde said that the officials responsible may not have a "complete picture" on the subject and it was for this reason that the Court wished to interact with the Minister..CJI Bobde also added that the proposal was made at the Court's behest, and that Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner organization, had not asked for this..However, in its order, the Court only sought a response from the Ministry on the issue of electric vehicles. ."We find that the issue of use of electric vehicles is connected to several other issues which are pending before the court...We consider it appropriate that all the issues be considered simultaneously and with the assistance of an authority empowered to take decisions.".The matter has been listed for four weeks from today.