Argus News - No Fine for Missing Green Sticker if PUCC Valid, Govt Clarifies

Bhubaneswar, Jan 2: Vehicle owners in Odisha who possess a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will not be fined for not displaying the newly introduced green compliance sticker, the state government has clarified, easing widespread confusion and public concern over the enforcement of pollution norms.

The clarification comes amid mounting criticism over long queues at pollution testing centres across the state and repeated revisions to the enforcement timeline. The Odisha government has now deferred the deadline for mandatory PUCC compliance for fuel access till March 31, 2026, marking the second extension within a week.

The state had initially planned to implement the ‘no PUCC, no fuel’ rule from January 1 and directed oil marketing companies to deny fuel to vehicles lacking valid certificates. Following operational challenges, the deadline was first shifted to February 1 before being pushed further to the end of March.

There are currently more than 850 registered pollution testing centres in Odisha, but authorities acknowledged that the existing infrastructure was insufficient to handle the sudden surge in demand.

Addressing the issue, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena had said the extension was aimed at ensuring vehicle owners do not face hardship. He added that the number of authorised pollution testing centres would be increased and that licences would be issued within 24 hours to applicants willing to set up new centres.

On the contentious green sticker requirement, the minister clarified that displaying the sticker is not mandatory. However, he said the sticker would be a convenient compliance marker for both enforcement officials and vehicle owners. Vehicles that already possess a valid PUCC issued up to January 9 can collect the green sticker from their respective Regional Transport Offices, where separate counters will be arranged for the purpose. From January 10 onwards, the stickers will be issued directly at authorised pollution testing centres at the time of certificate issuance.

Officials said the green sticker will carry the vehicle registration number along with the name of the PUCC centre, enabling easier verification during roadside checks.

Meanwhile, the State Transport Authority has warned of strict action against pollution testing centres issuing fake or invalid certificates. So far, licences of at least 42 centres across the state have been cancelled as part of an enforcement drive aimed at maintaining the credibility of the PUCC system.

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The government said it would continue monitoring the situation closely to ensure smoother implementation of pollution control measures without causing public inconvenience.