BMC collects INR 4.79 crore as fine from more than two lakh citizens for not wearing masks

Over the last few months, the government of Maharashtra has allowed activities and services to resume across the state, and the civic bodies have been asked to keep a check on the citizens thereby ensure the safety protocols are followed. Citizens have been asked to wear a mask at all times when in public and maintain social distancing.

Following the directives, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been taking the necessary steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus, and in the past few weeks, the designated teams have identified several people who have flouted the rules by not wearing masks. Taking action against the same, BMC has imposed fines of INR 200 per person and has so far collected INR 4.79 crore from more than 2.26 lakh citizens.

Coronavirus cases in the city of Mumbai are reducing significantly, however, the state government has asked the people to wear a mask in public, as a mandatory order. But, some irresponsible citizens have been ignoring this, and this poses a risk to others whereby spreading COVID-19 becomes easy.

Data released by the state health department during September and October 2020, showed an increase in COVID-19 cases post the festivals, especially Ganeshotsav. With an aim to not repeat the same during Diwali, officials have been asked to take extra care and spread the awareness to the best possibility, especially in the crowded areas such as markets.

The municipality has started penalising citizens for the same, and this has been implemented from April 9, 2020, where the fine was INR 1,000, but a few months later, the BMC changed it to INR 200. The corporation is also taking action at various levels to control the spread of coronavirus and the state government-led campaigns are being conducted across the city. Under one of the initiatives, 'no mask, no entry' sign has been placed across all the offices, establishments, malls, societies, auditoriums, etc. in the MMR localities, and officials have been asked to strictly follow the same. 

In a recent announcement, Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal has also informed that the BMC is ready to tackle another wave of coronavirus. Hospitals and healthcare facilities have been equipped with the same.

To ensure a safe Diwali, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, in his speech on Sunday, November 8, 2020, asked the people to celebrate the festival in a simple way, by avoiding crackers. Following the same, BMC has decided to ban firecrackers in the city, with an exception of Nov 14.