In a circular issued on August 20, 2020, IRDAI said, “Central pollution control board (CPCB) has raised concerns regarding status of compliance of above direction of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in National Capital Region of Delhi (Delhi – NCR). Please ensure that the direction of Supreme Court of India is followed scrupulously with special focus on compliance in National Capital Region of Delhi (Delhi – NCR),” as per the circular.
In July 2018, concerned over rising vehicular pollution, the Supreme Court, in the matter of MC Mehta vs Union of India, had directed insurers to not insure a vehicle unless it has a valid PUC certificate on the date of renewal of the motor insurance policy.
What is PUC certificate?
It is a certificate that vets that the emissions passed from vehicles meets the pollution control standards. The pollution standards/emission levels are fixed for all types of motor vehicles in India. Once a vehicle undergoes a PUC test successfully, a certificate is provided to vehicle owner. Therefore, with the help of the certification, you get to know that your vehicle’s emissions are in alignment with standard pollution norms and are not harmful to the environment.
All vehicles are required to mandatorily carry a valid PUC certification.
According to Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019, any person driving a motor vehicle in any public place shall, on being so required by a police officer in uniform authorised in this behalf by the State Government, produce—
- Certificate of insurance;
- Certificate of registration;
- Pollution under control certificate;
- Driving licence;
- In the case of a transport vehicle, also the certificate of fitness referred to in section 56, and the permit; and
- Any certificate or authorisation of exemption that has been granted under this Act, relating to the use of the vehicle.