SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Jan 24: Deoghar district administration on Monday served an ultimatum to vehicle owners to either carry pollution under control (PUC) certificate or face fine.
On the directive of deputy commissioner (DC) Manjunath Bhajantri, the district transport department issued notice that punitive action would be taken against the vehicle plying on the road without a certificate of PUC.
As per official record of transport department, till December 31, 2021 the validity of PUC certificate of 14,703 vehicles in Deoghar has expired notwithstanding they are plying on the roads of district against Motor Vehicles Rules 1989. So, the transport department has decided to act against such vehicles.
As per Motor Vehicles Rules, a vehicle has to get a Pollution Under Control test every six months.
“If a vehicle is found plying on road even after expiry of PUC certificate validity, it would be slapped a fine of Rs 1000 first time offense under Motor Vehicle Rules Section 190 (IIA) and for second time offense fine would be in double fold (Rs 2,000),” a transport department official said.
Moreover, the official said the license of driving would be cancelled under Section 206 (IV) of Motor Vehicle Rules if the defaulter vehicle is found on the road even after a monetary fine.
“Supreme Court (SC) has made the PUC certificate mandatory for vehicles. So, driving a vehicle without a PUC certificate is contempt of SC order. So, the district administration has made carrying a PUC certificate mandatory for vehicle owners and has also requested people of the district to get pollution tested on their vehicle if it is expired for avoiding punishment,” officials said.
