New Delhi: In a respite to thousands of motorists, Delhi Government on Friday 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.
A bench, headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, also directed that wherever vehicles of more than 15 years are noticed, the concerned authorities shall take appropriate steps in accordance with law including seizure of the vehicles.
"It is undisputed and in fact unquestionable that the air pollution of NCT, Delhi, is getting worse with each passing day. It not only projects the very dismayed state of affairs existing with clear indication that worst is likely to follow...," NGT said.
"All vehicles, diesel or petrol, which are more than 15 years old shall not be permitted to ply on the roads... This direction would be applicable to all vehicles without exception i.E. Two wheelers, three wheelers, four wheelers, light vehicles and heavy vehicles irrespective of whether commercial or otherwise," the bench had said.
