One-time incentive for replacing old vehicles proposed; here are details

Auto companies have proposed a one-time incentive in the form of rebate in taxes for replacing pre-2000 registered vehicles to facilitate taking them off the roads, industry sources said. In a pre-budget meeting with the heavy industries ministry, the industry has also asked the government to do away with multiple tax rates for passenger cars while mooting a special rate for electrification of vehicles.

The suggestions were made in a recent meeting between representatives of the auto industry and officials of department of heavy industry.  According to sources, the auto industry impressed upon the government that keeping in mind pollution and safety issues in India, there was a need to replace old vehicles.

Around 80 per cent of pollution and accidents were caused by old ill-maintained vehicles which are mostly more than 15 years old. To facilitate the replacement of these vehicles, it has been suggested that the government should offer a one-time incentive to replace the old vehicles, which were registered before the year 2000, when the first emission norms were introduced.

"The incentives could be in the form of rebate in GST, road tax, subsidised finance like what happened in Delhi for public transport vehicles," a source said. Moreover, a robust inspection and certification regime has been suggested to be put in place to control such vehicles, added the source. In other pre-budget wish list, it is understood that the auto industry also asked for moderation and rationalisation of taxes. 

"What was requested was that there should not be more than two rates for cars in place of multiple tax rates at present. Additionally, a special rate for electrification of vehicles was suggested considering the journey towards electric vehicles that the country has embarked on," another source said.

In the last five years, the auto industry has been subjected to multiple increases in taxes. From 10 per cent in 2011-12 on small vehicles, commercial vehicles, two and three wheelers, it has gone up to 12.5 per cent in 2015-16, whereas on larger cars it has increased from 22 per cent to 30 per cent during the same period.

Additionally, infrastructure cess ranging between 1 per cent and 4 per cent was imposed in 2016-17, industry representatives are understood to have pointed to the government officials in the meeting. Under the current system, automobiles fall in the highest GST slab of 28 per cent with additional cess ranging between 1 per cent to 15 per cent depending on specifications and engine size. 

The industry also suggested that in the long-run taxes on vehicles need to be rationalised, the source said adding that the auto sector understood that reduction in taxes for vehicles could not happen immediately as GST revenue was yet to achieve targeted levels. According to sources, the industry also sought increase in customs duty for CBUs of commercial vehicles to 40 per cent from 20 per cent currently.

It was also suggested to the government to restore 200 per cent weighted deduction on R&D expenditure. The benefit was reduced to 150 per cent in April 2017 and is to be completely eliminated by April 2020.