The Odisha High Court has clarified that petrol pumps cannot be denied fuel supply solely due to the absence of a Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). This follows government submissions in court, emphasizing that petrol stations can continue operations and are not obligated to withhold fuel from vehicles pending PUCC compliance.
Government Submits Clarification
The state government filed an affidavit in the High Court explaining that petrol pumps can issue fuel even if a vehicle’s PUCC is not available, though they can still advise vehicle owners to obtain the certificate. The previous directive from the Transport Department, which suggested withholding petrol in the absence of PUCC, has now been set aside by the court.
High Court Ruling on Pollution Certificate
The court also ruled that vehicle owners are not mandated to obtain a pollution certificate before filling fuel. Any previous instructions from the Transport Department preventing fuel dispensing without a PUCC have been nullified.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M.S. Raman, emphasized that vehicles can now be refueled even if the pollution certificate is pending, ensuring that citizens are not inconvenienced.
Instructions to Update Vehicle Portal
The court has directed the government to update the vehicle portal with the revised guidelines to inform the public about the changes. This move aims to ensure transparency and awareness among vehicle owners and petrol pump operators.
Next Hearing Scheduled
The next hearing of the matter has been scheduled for one week from now. Meanwhile, petrol pumps can continue operations without facing penalties for dispensing fuel to vehicles lacking a PUCC.
Background
Earlier, the Transport Department had issued instructions preventing petrol refueling for vehicles without a valid pollution certificate, particularly if the vehicle had fines for traffic violations. Several public interest litigations were filed in response, challenging the directive as restrictive and causing undue hardship to citizens.
The High Court ruling balances environmental compliance with practical convenience, allowing petrol pumps to operate while still encouraging vehicle owners to maintain valid pollution certificates.