Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 17: The authenticity of the certificates issued by most of the Pollution Checking Centres are under scanner as every vehicle owner has been getting the certificate after paying required fee but there is no system in place to ascertain their veracity.
Since the reports of introduction of New Vehicle Act, have been making rounds, long ques of vehicles could be found outside the Pollution Checking Centres across the Jammu province, for getting pollution certificate.
"It is beyond comprehension as how each of the vehicle is found under the pollution limit and gets certificate. The owners of the Pollution Checking Centres have been distributing the certificates in bulk after charging money", an official said, adding that none of the vehicle owner had failed in the pollution checking test, which raised serious question mark over the authenticity of the certificates.
A two wheeler owner said that if the readings on the certificate were found above normal level, the Pollution Checking Centre' owners, manually feed the correct figures, thus manipulating the certificates.
"Even some of the old vehicle owners have been getting the positive certificates from the Pollution Checking Centres. The certificates are simply a formality and there seems no method to check the authenticity of the certificates", sources said.
An official of Transport department pleading anonymity said that no one was bothered about the rampant pollution problem. "The Checking Centres are only concerned about making money while the owner of vehicles are also concerned about taking the certificate, so they are also unconcerned about the condition of vehicle", the official said, adding that the Transport department, Traffic Police, District Magistrate, Police were competent enough to randomly check the vehicles and their pollution but for that checking, it needed manpower and departments were short of manpower.
The official further stated that department was aware that Pollution Checking Centres have been furnishing manipulated pollution certificates but so far action has not been taken against any of the Centre. "As per new vehicle Act, the fine imposed for pollution certificate is Rs. 10,000 but there is no mention of fine for furnishing manipulated certificate by Pollution Checking Centres", the official said, adding that the certificate of the Pollution Centre must be cancelled if found furnishing manipulated certificates as well as huge penalty. |
