BS III compliant vehicles cannot be sold after April 1: Supreme Court

The apex court has ruled against the sale of BS III compliant vehicles from April 1, the deadline given to carmakers to make the switch to stringent Bharat Stage IV norms. 

The Centre had informed the apex court that carmakers were allowed to sell unsold inventory after the deadline. However, the SC allowed the registration of BS III vehicles till March 31 but the vehicle owners will have to carry a proof of date of sale at all times. 

The ban on the sale of BS III compliant vehicles would render about nine lakh vehicles unsalable. 

In the run up to the order date, the SC had demanded the Society of Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) to furbish monthly details of unsold BS III compliant vehicles from January. 

The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) had called for a ban on the sale of BS III vehicles after April 1. 

The SC's decision would affect car dealers who have the unsold inventory and no provision to return the vehicles back to the manufacturers. It would also affect after sales servicemen and other car dealership jobs. 

According to a recent report, the prices of two-wheelers and commercial vehicles were expected to go up 6-8% after the switchover. 

After the Supreme Court's order, the shares of major carmakers - including Ashok Leyland, Hero, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki - were trading in the red.