Knowledge of Self-Control: An Effective Enabler for Quality PUC Certification of Vehicular Emissions to Help Attain SDGs.

Abstract

Vehicular pollution is a major problem for the environment and human health issues in the country as vehicle emissions remain the
single most identifiable contributor to the nation’s poor air quality, negatively affecting Indian cities year-round.
To control vehicular pollution, Govt. of India, Ministry of Roads Transport & Highways (MoRTH) established PUC (Pollution under Control)
centers in all states vide CMVRs (Central Motor vehicle Rules) 1989. However, the expected effectiveness has not materialized, as very few
vehicles fail PUC testing.
Purpose: To overcome the problem of rising vehicular pollution, the PUC operator and organizers need to be given knowledge of the concepts
of self-control for implementation in the activity of PUC to bring breakthrough and put PUC on the path of improvement.
Objectives: The objectives of the study are to develop awareness of: (i) Self Control and (ii) establish feedback mechanism as quality control
takes place by the use of feedback loop only.
Design/Methodology/approach: Non-conformances data reported from audits on PUC were subjected to analysis for the elements of selfcontrol. For investigating the failure, the scientific method proposed by biophysicist John R platt’s ‘strong inference’, 1964 is used for resolving
multiple hypotheses. The integration of scientific method into RCA by using cycles of Deming’s PDCA, will resolve the cause (hypothesis)
into root cause of the problem.
Findings: In terms of Self-control elements, we find that most of them (above 80%) are missing in the present functioning of PUC, reflecting
inadequate management of the certification process.
Implications: For PUC to operate in a state of self control, its employees require capable process, Knowledge and feedback loop including
responsibility etc. which can be provided only by management.
Significance: Self control evolved from concept of Controllability. This is an ideal objective for operational planning. Being universal concept,
it is applicable to processes/activities in all functions and at all levels in the organization.
Originality/Uniqueness of the study: When employees operate in a state of self-control, they possess all essential elements required to manage
quality effectively within their jobs.
To achieve breakthrough in PUC performance, awareness of Self-control is the need of the hour to resolve ESG issues, help attain SDGs and
to take strides towards sustainability.