Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Drivers operating government vehicles in Goa have been directed to ensure that their vehicles carry valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, with the General Administration Department (GAD) warning that violations could result in personal liability.
In a circular dated August 6, the GAD instructed drivers to renew PUC certificates that have already expired or are nearing expiry within seven days.
The department said it had come to its notice that a number of government vehicles were being used without valid PUC certificates, contrary to the requirements under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
As per the directions, any fine, penalty or other legal consequence arising from the use of a government vehicle without a valid PUC certificate will be the responsibility of the driver concerned if the certificate is not renewed within the prescribed period.
After renewal, drivers have been asked to submit a copy of the updated certificate to the GAD to claim reimbursement of the renewal charges. The original PUC certificate must remain in the vehicle and be made available during inspections.
The GAD has also directed personnel receiving newly allotted government vehicles to verify that the vehicles have valid PUC certificates before driving them.
The department’s directive is aimed at ensuring that government vehicles remain compliant with mandatory pollution-control requirements and that responsibility for maintaining the required documents is clearly fixed.
