PUCC row: High Court issues notice to Odisha Govt, asks to respond within 2 weeks

The Orissa High Court issued a notice on Tuesday to the Odisha government regarding a public interest matter related to the issuance of Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). The notice comes after a petition was filed highlighting a dispute over PUCC compliance.

Also Read: Odisha govt extends PUCC deadline till March 31

The court has directed the Transport Commissioner to provide a detailed report within two weeks. According to the petition filed with the court, the petitioner has sought intervention of the High Court over norms that vehicles will not be issued PUC certificates if challans are pending and petrol or diesel will not be delivered to vehicle owners without a PUCC.

The next date of hearing for the case has been scheduled three weeks from now, during which the court will examine the compliance and the steps taken by the authorities.

The notice underscores the importance of timely PUCC verification and adherence to traffic regulations, aiming to ensure vehicle owners follow environmental safety norms.

“We had challenged a norm of the State government that vehicle owners will not be given petrol or diesel sans a valid PUC certificate. Accordingly, we had filed a petition (PIL) by praying to the court that it violates the fundamental rights,” the prosecution lawyer, Ranjan Kumar Rout, expressed while speaking to mediapersons.

“This norm also violates the provisions envisaged in Sub-Clause 190 of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. We had also prayed to the court against the authorised agencies demanding clearance of the pending challans as a precondition before issuing PUCC. There is no clear order on this norm by the government,” the prosecution lawyer stated.

“Notices have been issued to the Government and Transport Commissioner,” Rout added.