Fine worth INR 53 lakhs collected from Mumbaikars for not wearing a mask

Coronavirus infection has been spreading across the city, and under the unlock guidelines issued by the government, officials have strictly asked the citizens to wear a mask when in public. The local municipal corporations have been directed to take necessary actions if the rules are flouted. The decision was taken to ensure citizens' safety and as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of infection.

However, despite repeated awareness and understanding offered regarding the same, officials have noted that many people have been visiting public places without wearing masks, thereby posing a risk of infection for themselves and others. In order to control the same, the Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had set a target of taking action against 20,000 people every day in Mumbai. 

Officials have stated that several people the city have not been following the rules, and the team is getting exhausted while achieving this target given by BMC. As per reports, officials are able to take action only against 3000-7000 people every day, and those who do not wear masks are being fined INR 200. Meanwhile, many people do not wear a mask or even if they do, they pull it on the chin. Noting this, Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal had ordered to take strict action against those who do not use masks or follow the rules as directed. 

Each divisional office was given a target of investigating 1,000 people and the department offices have also assigned this responsibility to the engineers and staff of various departments such as conservation, building and factories, shops and establishments, licensing, encroachment eradication, pest control, garden department. Orders have been given to take action against five to ten people every day, but, in reality, the employees are not being able to achieve the goal. Official data states that action was taken against a total of 26,000 people until October 11, 2020, whereby an average of 950 people were being held every day.

Furthermore, over the last eight days, action has been taken against 2500-7000 people on a daily basis and the BMC has been able to take action against 32,000 people in 6 days, between October 11-17, 2020, and collected a fine of INR 53 lakhs in total.