HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Government will levy a `green tax' on all old automobile vehicles in use from Monday as a disincentive for pollution.

The tax entails levy of a token annual tax of Rs. 50 on two-wheelers and Rs. 100 on personal cars and other four-wheelers that have been in use for 15 years and above. Similarly, a tax of Rs. 200 per annum will be levied on transport and commercial vehicles such as autorickshaws, taxis, lorries and buses that are over seven years.

However, transport vehicles that have operated for more than 15 years are being seized on grounds of fitness in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam on the directions of the court. They could be operated in other parts of the State subject to payment of green tax and other fee. Government vehicles, though not those of the APSRTC, are being exempted from the green tax because they are anyhow not paying Motor Vehicles Tax.

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are levying green tax. The State Government decided to follow the Karnataka pattern rather than the one in Tamil Nadu where the rates are higher.

Clean environment

Transport Commissioner Ajay Misra told The Hindu that the tax was being collected to promote clean environment. The money thus collected would be used for pollution control activities. He said the tax was not meant to be a deterrent but a disincentive as the Indian design of transport vehicles did not conform to the Bharat Stage II norms for emission of pollutants, Mr. Misra said.

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