Delhi PUC Centres To Shutdown Amidst Rate Hike

Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres across Delhi have apparently been shut down from July 15, onwards. This decision comes in response to the Delhi government's recent proposal to increase PUC certificate rates by ₹20-₹40, which has sparked controversy among petrol pump owners.

The Delhi Petrol Dealers' Association (DPDA) announced on Sunday that operating PUC centres has become financially unviable. While the state transport minister Kailash Gahlot had stated that the new rates would take effect upon official notification, the DPDA argues that the hike is insufficient to cover operational costs.

According to the DPDA, numerous PUC centres have already surrendered their licences in recent months due to financial constraints. The association claims that despite communicating their concerns to the transport department for eight years, their issues remain unaddressed.

The DPDA points out that while PUC rates were last revised in 2011 with a 70% increase, the current hike of 35% fails to account for the substantial rise in operational expenses over the past 13 years, while wages alone have tripled since 2011.

Additional factors contributing to the financial strain include high rents charged by oil marketing companies and reduced revenue due to changes in certification norms for newer vehicles. The association expressed disappointment with the government's decision, stating that while a 75% hike based on inflation was initially proposed, the announced increase falls short of their expectations.

This closure of PUC centres could potentially impact vehicle owners in Delhi, who rely on these facilities for mandatory pollution checks. The situation remains dicey at the moment as stakeholders await further developments and possible negotiations between the DPDA and the Delhi government.