Keonjhar: Until recently, vehicle pollution testing centers would wear a deserted look. But, after the introduction of the amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act from September 1, they have seen a reversal of fortune.
The state government has delayed implementation of the pollution under control (PUS) certification for three months. However, apprehending heavy fine in near future, motorists, bikers and four-wheeler riders have been making a beeline before pollution testing centers for hours.
Under the amended MV Act, a person will be fined Rs 10,000 for failing to produce a PUS certificate. Earlier, the fine amount was only Rs 500.
Looking at the rush for getting PUC certificates, Keonjhar RTO has authorized some private agencies to provide PUC certificates.
Keonjhar is an industrial district. Import and export of minerals from mining areas through heavy vehicles is an everyday affair.
However locals alleged that they charged high price for issuing fake PUC certificates.
Earlier riders of both four wheelers (heavy and light vehicles) and two wheelers avoided pollution tests even after expiry of the certificates as the fine amount was less. But the enhanced amount of penalty has instilled a fear of law in people and they started collecting PUC certificates for their vehicles.
But authorised private agencies and middlemen are taking advantage of the situation and duping people in the name of PUC certificate.
Two and three-wheelers pay Rs 60 for the pollution check, while light motor vehicles pay Rs 100 and heavy vehicles pay Rs 150 for PUC certificates. The pollution check is mandatory for vehicles every six months.
But it is observed that test for PUC certificates by licensed private pollution checking units are vulnerable to fraud and corruption.
Often these tests are not done properly and fake software is used. The sensor stick used for testing the pollution concentration in tailpipe is not properly inserted; or certain parameters like temperature testing at the time of smoke density tests in diesel vehicles are manipulated to pass the tests.
It has also been reported that people obtain PUC certificates even without conducting the tests. For issuing a fake PUC certificate they charge three times the government rate.
Environmentalists said that the administration should check the reliability of the private authorities. Otherwise there will be no meaning of PUC certificates.