A video is going viral on WhatsApp showing Mexican Ambassador in India having an official three-wheeler rather than diplomatic car for official movements in Delhi. Video may be true or not but the message is very important for central and state government together with their public-sector-understandings (PSUs) where especially ordered air-conditioned three-wheelers may replace official cars for those entitled for official cars. Step will not result in big saving of fuel, but will also reduce purchase-cost on vehicles and ever-increasing congestion on roads apart from checking pollution. Introduction of air-conditioned three-wheelers will be popular amongst middle-income small families to switch over from cars to three-wheelers.
Otherwise also all possible steps should be taken to discourage big and costlier cars. Cars costing net ex-showroom-price of rupees ten lakhs and above should attract cess over normal GST, and must not be allowed to be financed. Such a step will effectively check production of big and costlier cars making car-manufacturers concentrating on giving extra facilities in economical cars out of competition. Discouraging sale of big cars will provide extra space on roads and parking-sites in the city. Costly and big cars should be allowed in government for use of President, Vice President, Prime Minister and foreign dignitaries only.
MADHU AGRAWAL