Volkswagen given clean chit by transport ministry

Barely days after heavy industries minister Anant Geete revealed that automobile major Volkswagen had accepted having flouted emission norms, transport ministry said the reports sent to them do not mention any evidence of such violation.

Earlier this week, the heavy industries ministry forwarded the tests carried out by Automotive Research and Development Center in India (ARAI) on VW cars to the transport ministry and had recommended it to take necessary action.

"But the reports don't mention violation of test norms. The company has also not admitted or acknowledged flouting any norms. So, there is no evidence. But to get better clarity, we will ask ARAI to respond whether they have detected any violation as per the set norms," said a ministry official.

Nitin Gadkari, who took a review meeting on this issue with top ministry officials and representatives from the German car maker, also said that his ministry won't take any decision or step in "haste". "As of now, nothing is on record that suggests the manufacturer has violated our emission norms. We will follow transparent system for assessment before taking any action," Gadkari said.