Now, pollution certificate only for vehicles with no tax or penalty dues

MP, 15 Oct 2023, Kolkata: The Transport department will only issue Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) for a vehicle which has cleared tax, fine, penalty and pending e-challan. The decision will be effective from November 1. 

“It has come to our notice that a considerable number of tax defaulting vehicles are plying on road with valid PUCC in violation of Sec. 16 of West Bengal Motor Vehicle Tax Act, 1979 that states clearly that plying of a vehicle without paying due tax is an offence. 

The vehicle is liable to be kept stationary until such outstanding tax is paid. Any vehicle produced at an Automated Emission Testing Centre (AETC) for issuance of PUCC can only be entertained when the said vehicle is free from any demand of tax, fine, penalty and pending e-challan (except those forwarded to virtual court),” a senior official of the Transport department said. 

As per Sec. 18 (7) of West Bengal Motor Vehicle Tax Act, 1979, ‘any person driving a tax defaulting motor vehicle shall be punishable as per law’. 

The Environment department and West Bengal Pollution Control Board have consented to this system. The state government is hopeful that this move will ensure zero loss of government revenue. 

A notification issued by state transport secretary Saumitra Mohan states that to bring a vehicle to an AETC for obtaining PUCC, it must have used a public motorable road and using such road without payment of due tax is an offence as per Tax Act. 

The notification further directs all AETC to carry out the requisite test, but issue the requisite certificate only after ensuring that all pending government dues such as tax, fine, penalty, pending e-challan etc. have been cleared. 

The AETCs shall be liable to be penalised if found to be violating such a directive. 

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/now-pollution-certificate-only-for-vehicles-with-no-tax-or-penalty-dues-536830