Recently, the Maharashtra government issued revised COVID-19 guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. Now, the cab drivers and private bus associations are angry over these guidelines. It states that an additional fine on drivers and owners of transport agencies will be imposed if a passenger in their vehicle is found not adhering to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.
As per the guidelines, if an individual is seen not exhibiting COVID-19 appropriate behaviour fine of INR 500 will be imposed on the person. If the fault is found in taxi, private transport, car or bus, an INR 500 will also be fined to the driver, conductor or helper providing the service.
Not only this, even the owner (transport agency), in the case of buses, will be fined INR 10,000 for each instance and, if it happens frequently, then their license will be withdrawn or there can be closure of their operations.
Also read: Minimal Percent Of COVID-19 Reinfection Cases In Mumbai, Reveals BMC
Mumbai cabbies fear that they will end up paying more fines than they earn in a day.
K K Tiwari of Taxi Rickshaw Cell, BJP, has questioned the guidelines and said that why should the driver be fined if he is wearing the mask and the passenger is not. He further said that they would oppose this and will take to the streets if drivers are additionally fined.
On the other hand, Mumbai police have increased their checking on streets and are penalising motorists who are found flouting the rules.
Meanwhile, the commuters and bus conductors have raised doubt over BEST's decision of checking vaccination certificates before allowing passengers to board buses as they find that it will not be feasible for them do so.
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