Kathmandu,
The Supreme Court of Nepal has issued mandamus order in the name of Nepal Government to promote green energy-based vehicles to curb air pollution and mitigate dependence on import of fossil fuel. The government was increased the tax in electric vehicle in fiscal year 2077/2078. The Justice and Rights Institute-Nepal’s (JuRI-Nepal) field the public interest litigation (PIL) against it. The main opponents of this PIL was Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Physical Development and Transportation, Ministry of Energy, Water and Irrigation and Ministry of Forest and Environment On the basis of the PIL, the supreme court issued the order. The order is giving emphasis on to take precautions to protect the environment through review of existing laws, policies and programs and develop an action plan with in the six months. The court instructed the government that study about measures of promoting green energy by forming the committee within three months. The Court also ordered the government to build the charging station to increase the attraction and prompt the use of the electric vehicle. On behalf of JuRI-Nepal PIL was led by Advocate Sashi Basnet and on behalf of JuRI, it was represented and pleaded by Advocate Sashi Basnet including Advocates Raju Pd. Chapagai, Shyam Kumar Bishwakarma, Dhruba Koirala, Bishnu Pd. Pokharel, Bal Maya Bishwakarma, Sundar Bdr. Sheni, Subash Bishwakarma, Suchana Sunar and Mr. Chun Gurung. Though final hearing of this case was held on 17 June, 2022 (3rd Ashad, 2079), the full version of the decision was came on this Thursday (26 April, 2023). For full text of the decision please visit this link. https://supremecourt.gov.np/…/judgements/077-wo-0019.pdf