No need of PUC to buy petrol till Mar

Govt gives in to pump owners' pressure

Logistical issues and petrol pump owners’ pressure forced the Delhi government on Friday to put off by three months its green proposal to make possession of pollution under control certificate mandatory from December 1 for buying  petrol or diesel.

A Transport Department official said the proposal, aimed at checking vehicular emissions, was not been put in cold storage.

“We need more time for making arrangements for smooth implementation,” said an official.

“For effective implementation of the proposal, the Transport Department, traffic police, Food and Civil Supplies Department and other agencies will work in coordinated manner for strengthening of infrastructure and other measures required for smooth implementation,” said an official statement, justifying the extension of the deadline by three months.

The decision to put off the PUC proposal is likely to save motorists from a strike threatened by petrol pump owners, opposed to the idea due to its non-feasibility.

As per the now-delayed plan, a pump owner as well as a pump attendant could land in jail for six months if found selling fuel to vehicle’s without a valid PUC.

There is a provision to book them under section 20 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

Delhi Petrol Dealers’ Association president Atul Peshawaria welcomed the deferment of the proposal and said the move was unfair, adding the strike may now be called off.
The petrol pump owners had threatened to shut the 400-odd fuel vends across the city from Sunday midnight.

The proposal to make the possession of a valid PUC certificate a prerequisite tanking up at petrol pumps was finalised on the basis of recommendations of at High Power Committee constituted by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

The committee, under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, look into the pollution levels in the city, including impact related pollution caused by vehicles.