A day long special sitting would be held by the Supreme Court bench for the first time to take a decision on the quantum of green cess on every diesel car purchase. The decision is likely to expand the principle of the ‘polluter pays’ from industries to individual consumers.

Solicitor general Ranjit Kumar tested the determination of a bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur to go for the scheduled hearing. Requesting an adjournment, the Solicitor general said that all law officers would be travelling to Odisha for attending a legal aid meeting scheduled under the Supreme Court judge Dipak Misra’s captaincy.

According to the bench, "What is the role of the government in this? The issue is related to green cess on diesel cars and all players in the automobile industry have agreed to argue the case on Saturday."

"If Maninder Singh remains present during the hearing, he will take care of the government's stand on the issue," the bench said.

Citing the impediment of the automobile industry growth, the ministry of heavy industries is planning to oppose the ban of big diesel car and SUV sales. Following 'Make in India' campaign launch, nearly $5,094 million investment came to India as FDI in the sector.

"The industry employs over 30 million persons with a cumulative investment of Rs 143,000 crore. Automobile industry is the fifth largest sector in receiving FDI," it will tell the SC on Saturday.

-Sumana