Karnataka govt hikes PUC testing fees citing rise in operational costs

The Karnataka government has revised Pollution Under Control testing fees, citing a significant rise in operational and maintenance costs.

According to a government order, the testing fee for two-wheelers has been increased to Rs 80 from Rs 65, while the fee for three-wheelers has been raised to Rs 80 from Rs 75.

The fee for four-wheelers powered by petrol, LPG or CNG has been revised to Rs 150 from Rs 115, while that for diesel-powered vehicles has been increased to Rs 200 from Rs 160. 

Hitting out at the Congress government over the hike, senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka said mandatory vehicle compliance should not become another opportunity to extract money from hardworking Kannadigas.

Demanding an immediate rollback of the "anti-people" PUC fee hike, he said people in Karnataka had had enough of the "relentless burden".

The revision followed a proposal from the Commissioner for Transport and Road Safety based on a representation from the Karnataka Pollution Testing Centre Owners' Association, Bengaluru.

The association had sought a revision of the existing fees, citing increased costs of raw materials, petrol and diesel, daily-use items, rent for testing centres, internet facilities, equipment maintenance, printer cartridges, electricity and employee salaries, among other operational expenses.

Exercising powers under Rule 231-B(13) of the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the government ordered the revision of the testing fees in an order dated August 13.

However, only pollution testing centres equipped with computerised systems will be eligible to collect the revised fees. The new charges will apply only to emission testing.