The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Sunday, February 21, collected a total fine of INR 28 lakhs from 14,000 people who were caught without face masks in public spaces.
This comes in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases being reported in Maharashtra during the last few days.
As per a statement, from April 2020 to February 21, 2021, the total fine collected by the civic comes to INR 32,41,14,800 and the total number persons fined for mask violations is 16,02,536.
Maharashtra on Sunday recorded 6,971 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day count in nearly four months.
Owing to the spike in COVID-19 cases in the state, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday addressed the citizens and warned that the coming eight days will decide whether there will be a lockdown in the state.
With reference to the state government's campaign against COVID-19 'My Family, My Responsibility', the chief minister has also introduced a new slogan "I am responsible".
Meanwhile, a week-long complete lockdown has been announced in Amaravati district in wake of the spike in cases.
Moreover, the civic body is taking up several steps to control the rising virus infections, said BMC chief IS Chahal. The society or buildings having more than five COVID-19 cases would be sealed. Besides, it has begun a major crackdown on restaurants, bars and pubs flouting coronavirus rules.
Few days after travelling in a local train to urge the citizens to use face masks in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases in the city Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar has now hit the streets to create awareness.
The municipal administration has set a target of penalizing 25,000 people who walk around without masks every day. Accordingly, 48,000 marshals are stationed at public places, markets and railway stations in Mumbai.