Bhubaneswar, January 9:The Odisha Congress has launched a strong attack on the state government's implementation of the "No PUC, No Fuel" policy, claiming that it has caused widespread inconvenience and unnecessary harassment for ordinary citizens. The opposition party’s leaders have called out the ruling BJP government for what they describe as gross mismanagement in the enforcement of the rule, which requires vehicle owners to present a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate in order to access fuel.

Bhakta Charan Das, President of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), voiced his concern over the hasty implementation of the policy, which was suddenly announced in December and enforced from January 1. He pointed out that this abrupt decision left no room for citizens to prepare, resulting in chaos and significant delays at PUC testing centers.

According to Das, the situation has escalated into a logistical nightmare. Long queues were seen at various PUC centers across the state as people rushed to comply with the new rule, which mandates that only those vehicles with a valid PUC certificate can refuel. The sudden imposition of the policy has led to widespread confusion and frustration, particularly among those who were unaware or unprepared for the new regulation.

Das further highlighted that the policy’s enforcement at such short notice, with no prior preparation or public awareness campaign, has severely impacted daily commuters, especially those living in rural areas where access to PUC testing centers is limited. He urged the government to rethink its approach and make necessary adjustments to avoid further public unrest.

The Congress Party has demanded immediate action from the government to ease the burden on citizens, including extending the deadline for PUC testing and ensuring that more centers are set up across the state.