Bhubaneswar, December 31: The Odisha Government has once again extended the deadline for Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) for vehicles till March. The decision was taken reportedly taking into accounts the difficulties being faced by motorists at vehicle emission testing centres to obtain PUCC.

With this fresh extension, the ‘no PUCC, no petrol’ enforcement plan of the State Government has been deferred to April. Earlier, the State Government has deferred its enforcement plan from January to February.

Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said that the extension has been granted keeping in view public convenience and to ensure that vehicle owners get sufficient time to comply with pollution control and other motor vehicle norms as per the Motor Vehicles Act.

The Minister said that people should secure valid PUCC and other transport documents during the extension period to avoid action.

As many as 42 vehicle emission testing centres have been sealed for irregularities in the State, the Minister added.

Under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, every motor vehicle operating in public places must comply with prescribed emission standards. For BS-IV and BS-VI vehicles, PUCC is required annually. The certificate is mandatory for vehicles below BS-IV standard.

Violations attract penalties of Rs 10,000 for the first offence and up to Rs 20,000 for repeat offences.