Delhi, New: In response to a call for protest from gas dealers and pump owners, some 600 PUC centers spread across 400 gas stations in the nation’s capital will stay closed starting on Monday. The Delhi Petrol Dealers’ Association (DPDA) has called for the closure of Pollution Under Control Centers (PUCC) in response to the government of Delhi’s proposed increase in pollution certificate fees. Nischal Singhania, the president of the DPDA, told PTI that the association has chosen to proceed with the strike because operating PUCC centers is no longer financially feasible. In Delhi, there are 400 gas stations, and each one has a gasoline PUCC center. There are about 600 PUC centers total because some of them also have diesel PUC centers,” he continued. After a lapse of nearly 13 years, the Kejriwal administration raised the PUC certificate fees for gasoline, CNG, and diesel cars on Thursday. There are 20 to 40 hikes in total. As soon as the Delhi government notifies the changes, the new prices will take effect, according to Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot. Pollution Control Centers for Delhi PUCC facilities gas stations.
Beginning on Monday, 400 gas stations in Delhi will have 600 Pollution Under Control Centers (PUC) closed due to the government’s anticipated increase in pollution certificate fees. This protest has been called by the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association, which describes the increased prices as unaffordable. The increased fees, which will raise them from Rs 20 to Rs 40, will go into effect after the government issues an announcement. We do not accept advertisements from corporations or governments because we are an independent media outlet. You readers have been there for us when we’ve tried to cover news with objectivity and integrity. Kindly contribute so that we can carry on in the future.
According to the association, PUC rates were last updated in 2011 following a six-year lapse, and the percentage increase at that time was over 70%
“The rate hike announced by the Delhi government now after 13 years is merely 35 percent, whereas all our expenses in the operation of a PUC center have increased multiple times, with just the wages having increased three times from 2011 to 2024,” stated the statement. According to the statement, oil marketing corporations have also started to charge high rents from PUC centers, amounting to 10–15% of overall earnings, which was not the case previously.
“Over the past 13 years, the PUC center’s operational expenses have climbed significantly in several other areas. Due to changes in certification standards for BS-IV and above cars, the frequency of PUC certification used to be once every quarter, meaning that the cost to the customer was four times higher than it is now. Additionally, as a result, revenue has decreased by 75%, “it stated. “In a meeting with the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association, the Hon’ble Minister of Transport, Government of the NCT of Delhi, deemed our demands to be reasonable. After the Delhi government suggested a 75% increase based on the inflation index and a straightforward interest computation, we decided to postpone our strike until June 30.
“The press informed us of a hike of Rs. 20, Rs. 30, and Rs. 40 in the aforementioned segments, which is only a 35 percent average hike, while we were trying to persuade our dealers to agree on the 75 percent hike in pollution checking rates.” We have also learned that the figure is determined randomly and that the computation has no foundation or rationale,” the statement read.
On Saturday, Delhi Water Minister Atishi—who is fasting indefinitely due to the water crisis in Bhogal, south Delhi—accused the BJP once more
Atishi claimed that the water intended for Delhi had been blocked by the Haryana BJP administration on the second day of her fast. In addition, yesterday saw 110 million gallons per day (MGD) less water sent than Delhi’s share; as a result, over 28 lakh people will experience a shortage of water today. The AAP leader added that the Haryana BJP administration is refusing to release the water intended for Delhi, despite all of its efforts.
According to the AAP minister, the ‘Water Satyagraha’ will go on until the BJP administration in Haryana releases all the water that is rightfully Delhi’s. According to Atishi, Delhi receives 1,005 MGD of water from canals and rivers in neighboring states. Haryana gives 613 MGD out of 1,005 MGD. For a few weeks, Haryana, however, decreased their portion to 513 MGD, which has an impact on more than 28 lakh people.