Bhubaneswar, Dec. 29 -- Odisha Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena on Monday defended the state government's decision to deny petrol and diesel to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control certificate, saying the move is not new and is necessary in view of worsening air quality.

"This is not a new rule. We wrote a letter to get this implemented so that people without a pollution certificate would not be able to buy petrol or diesel," Jena told ANI. Questioning the public backlash, he added, "I don't understand why people are agitated by this. The AQI in Odisha is poor."

The minister acknowledged concerns over penalties and enforcement, noting that the issue would be reviewed. "People are complaining that a hefty f...