The Himalayan Times broke the story about the rampant violation of emission rules and regulations involving the prime minister, chief justice, ministers, lawmakers and government officials from all sections of life on July 23, 2009 with the headline ‘Lawmakers turn law-
breakers’. In fact, majority of the government vehicles on the road were running without (or with expired) pollution control (green) stickers as prescribed by the existing law. However, the law enforcement officials were but mute spectators to such violations of law and were doing little to bring bigwigs to book for fear of retribution. One day after the publication of the news, hundreds of government vehicles lined up in front of the Office of Transport Management — either to receive green stickers or get them renewed. Law enforcement agencies have been keeping a tight vigil on law-breakers since then.