No fixed timeline for EV subsidy approval is not an option for delay: HC tells Delhi govt

In an order to the Delhi Government, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday denied the UT’s excuse of procedural hurdles in disbursing the long-delayed subsidies, which were promised to electric vehicle buyers.

Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhayaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela's bench pointed out that the government cannot claim that the Delhi Electric Vehicles Policy of 2020 has no deadline for payment.

Citing the judgement, Business Standard reported, "the government is taking shield of the fact that the Delhi Electric Vehicles Policy does not provide any fixed timeline for disbursal of subsidy. Such a ground, in our opinion, is not available for the government."

The judges observed that although the government had money, procedural problems were causing delays in disbursment.

The court directed the Delhi government's transport department to quickly open a special bank account for the distribution of the subsidy funds and guarantee that the funds were disbursed to qualified recipients as soon as possible.