The Odisha government has reduced the penalty for vehicles operating without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC), bringing down the maximum fine from Rs 10,000 to Rs 6,000.
The revised penalty structure was announced on Wednesday and replaces the provision that had been in effect since 2019. The new system differentiates penalties based on the type of vehicle and whether the violation is committed for the first or second time.
Two-Wheelers, Three-Wheelers To Face Lower Fines
Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena said the government decided to reduce the penalty to ease the financial burden on vehicle owners.
Under the revised structure, two-wheelers and three-wheelers will attract a fine of Rs 1,000 for the first violation and Rs 2,000 for the second violation.
The revised rates are significantly lower than the earlier maximum penalty of Rs 10,000 applicable for driving without a valid PUCC.
Motor Cabs And Jeeps To Attract Up To Rs 5,000 Fine
For motor cabs and jeeps, the penalty has been fixed at Rs 2,000 for the first violation and Rs 5,000 for the second offence.
The same penalty structure will apply to tractors and trailers, with vehicle owners facing Rs 2,000 for a first violation and Rs 5,000 if the offence is repeated.
Rs 3,000 Penalty For Other Vehicles
For other categories of vehicles covered under the revised rules, a Rs 3,000 fine will be imposed for both the first and second violations.
The revised structure is intended to maintain enforcement against vehicles operating without valid pollution certificates while reducing the financial burden compared with the earlier penalty regime.
Transport Minister Defends Government Decision
Explaining the decision, Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena said the Rs 10,000 penalty had been in force since 2019 and that the government had now decided to reduce it.
“Since 2019, the fine for vehicles without a PUCC has been Rs 10,000. Today, the government decided to reduce the fine amount to lessen the burden on the people,” Jena said.
Responding to allegations that penalties were being used primarily to increase government revenue, the minister said, “We are a people’s government, and the allegations that money was being collected from the common people to fill the state’s coffers are completely false and baseless.”
New PUCC Fine Structure At A Glance
| Vehicle Category | First Violation | Second Violation |
|---|---|---|
| Two-wheelers | Rs 1,000 | Rs 2,000 |
| Three-wheelers | Rs 1,000 | Rs 2,000 |
| Motor cabs & jeeps | Rs 2,000 | Rs 5,000 |
| Tractors & trailers | Rs 2,000 | Rs 5,000 |
| Other vehicles | Rs 3,000 | Rs 3,000 |
The revised penalties provide vehicle owners with relief from the earlier Rs 10,000 fine while continuing to penalise those who operate vehicles without a valid PUCC.
