PUCC denied if challans pending over 90 days: Odisha Minister

In a significant clarification, Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena has stated that vehicle owners must clear all pending traffic challans older than 90 days before they can undergo Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) testing.

Taking to social media platform X, the Minister explained that if any challan remains unpaid for more than 90 days, the vehicle will not be eligible for PUCC inspection. He emphasised that the rule has been made mandatory and is being strictly enforced across the state.

The Transport Minister further clarified that the government’s decision is legally valid, citing a ruling of the Orissa High Court, which has upheld the legality of linking PUCC issuance with the clearance of long-pending challans.

Earlier, the Orissa High Court made it mandatory for vehicle owners to clear all pending traffic challans before obtaining a PUCC.

The court directed that a Pollution Under Control Certificate cannot be issued unless outstanding challans against the vehicle are paid in full. This important clarification was made during the hearing of a related case, which was subsequently disposed of by the High Court.

Also Read: Pending challans must be cleared to obtain PUCC: Orissa High Court

Providing information to the court, Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, appearing on behalf of the state government, submitted that the provision is in accordance with Section 167, Sub-section (12) of the Motor Vehicles Act.

After considering the submissions made by the Advocate General and examining the relevant legal provisions, the High Court delivered its verdict affirming that clearance of pending challans is a prerequisite for the issuance of a PUCC.