Mandatory PUC certificate move put off by 3 months

In a respite to thousands of motorists, Delhi Government today deferred by three months its decision to make Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate mandatory for refuelling of vehicles.
The government decision was to be implemented in the national capital from December 1.
"For effective implementation of this decision, the Transport Department, Delhi Traffic Police and the Food & Civil Supplies Department and other agencies concerned will work in a coordinated manner for strengthening of infrastructure and other measures required for its smooth implementation," said a senior government official.
In August, a high-power committee chaired by the Chief Secretary took the decision to make PUC certificate mandatory for refuelling of vehicles in the national capital.

The committee, which was constituted by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to look into the pollution levels, had recommended production of PUC certificate mandatory by motorists.
"During the extended period of three months, multimedia campaign will also be launched by the government for creating awareness and need for PUC certificates," the official added.

Meanwhile, Delhi Petrol Dealers Association, which has announced a one-day strike on December 1 over the issue, said it has not got any official intimation from the government about the deferment.
"We have not received any official intimation about the government's new decision so far. If they (govt) have deferred its decision to make PUC certificate mandatory for refuelling of vehicles, which was to be implemented from December 1, by three months, we will then call off our proposed strike," Atul Peshwaria, president of the association, said.

In a related development, the National Green Tribunal, dismayed at increasing air pollution in Delhi, had on November 26 held that all vehicles which were more than 15 years old would not be permitted to ply on the city roads.