The Times of India:Sunday, January 01, 2012.
SHIMLA: After Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses plying without no-pollution certificates, a group of youngsters through information obtained under RTI Act, 2005, have highlighted that most of the vehicles used by HP police department in Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Hamirpur and Kinnaur districts are running without no-pollution certificates.
Kanika Bunker, Suman Kadam and Sunil Jaitley, who are on a mission to create awareness about pollution in the state, said on Saturday, "Information was sought earlier from regional mangers of 23 HRTC depots in the state and it was discerned that many of the depots did not possess smoke meters and that the buses were plying without the mandatory no-pollution certificates. After this, information was sought from offices of police SP in Shimla, Mandi, Hamirpur, Kullu and Kinnaur about no-pollution certificates for vehicles used by police in the respective areas."
The information highlights that 99 heavy and light vehicles are in the possession of police in Shimla district and none of these vehicles possess no-pollution certificate.
Similarly, in Mandi district, police are using 30 heavy and light vehicles, 56 in Kullu and 29 in Kinnaur, while none of them possess no-pollution certificates. The only exception was Hamirpur where three vehicles of police possess no-pollution certificate, out of the total 36 heavy and light vehicles being used.
Besides this, information was sought under RTI about different facilities in police booths in Shimla and it was revealed that out of the total 37 booths, 27 were running without electricity connection while no heaters/heat convectors were provided for persons on duty in the booth in winter season.
Taking cognizance of the RTI information, DGP Dr D S Minhas has ordered that no-pollution certificates should be procured within a month for all vehicles used by HP police.