BMC fines people for not wearing face masks

As per officials, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has, so far, collected ₹52.76 lakh in fines from 14,207 people since April.

The Municipal Corporation had earlier clarified that action will be intensified in the future against those who avoid the use of masks despite public awareness. The use of masks has been made mandatory for everyone in public to prevent the spread of the contagious disease. Those who did not use the mask were ordered to pay a fine of ₹1,000. Accordingly, from April to September 12, a fine of ₹33,68,500 was collected from 4,989 people who did not use the mask.

The municipality was being criticized for imposing higher fines. The corporation on September 12 had increased the fine from ₹1,000 to ₹200. Thereafter, from 13th to 26th September, the Municipal Corporation took action against 9,218 citizens who did not use the cover and collected a fine of ₹19,70,700.

However, according to the information received, a total of 14,207 citizens have been penalized so far and the amount of ₹52,76,200 has been deposited in the treasury of the municipality.

The BMC had earlier stated that it was in discussion with gyms and restaurant owners and is looking forward to permitting them to resume operations with one-third patrons. Moreover, as per Chahal, the civic body has been planning to take the number of tests to over 20,000 a day.