Bhubaneswar, 09 January (H.S.): Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Bhakta Charan Das has accused the state government of imposing what he termed a “Jaziya tax” on the common people under the guise of collecting pollution-related penalties. He alleged that while the government claims to be enforcing pollution control measures, there is little effective monitoring of actual pollution, and instead, ordinary citizens are being unfairly targeted.
Das alleged that hefty fines are being imposed without properly verifying whether vehicles possess valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. In several cases, he said, the penalty amount exceeds the cost of a two-wheeler, calling the practice arbitrary and unjust.
Raising concerns over selective enforcement, the PCC president questioned the role of major industrial units operating in Angul, Talcher and Kalinganagar. “Can the government explain how much pollution these large industries are causing and whether they are complying with pollution certification norms?” he asked. He accused the government of adopting a harsh approach towards common citizens while showing leniency towards big industrial houses.
Demanding corrective measures, Das urged the state government to provide at least six months’ time to citizens to obtain or renew PUC certificates and to significantly enhance the availability of testing facilities to prevent unnecessary harassment of the public.
Announcing a series of protests, he said the Youth Congress will hold a bicycle rally on Friday and gherao the Transport Minister to protest the alleged mismanagement and arbitrary imposition of fines. He further stated that the Congress party is planning to intensify its agitation by gheraoing the Chief Minister’s residence and the Odisha Legislative Assembly in the coming days.
The Congress leader warned that unless the state government reconsiders what he described as “anti-people policies,” the party would escalate its protests across the state.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda