After a long gap, once again Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation MBMC fines shops violating COVID-19 guidelines. As many as 70 such establishments were fined by the civic body on Tuesday.
MBMC teams conducted extensive checking throughout the twin city to ensure that norms like social distancing and wearing masks were being adhered to. Public address systems were also used to create awareness.
During rounds, MBMC officials found 70 business places including shops, cabin and street vendors in three wards conducting business without following the guidelines. These included some prominent and old establishments too. Sources said that all these establishments were fined Rs 500 by officials.
MBMC added that the fines for the first time offender, strict action would be initiated on owners if establishment repeated the violation and would not follow the norms. If the shops are found violating norms again, their licences would be cancelled ensuring that they do not remain in business.
The civic body also collected more than Rs 33,000 as fines from mask rule and social distancing violators. The drive on shops and masks would continue in the coming days. Other wards too will be fined in coming days.
“MBMC has fined 36 shops and collected Rs 18000 from Ward no 2 in Bhayandar (West). While officials fined 24 businessmen and added Rs 12000 in MBMC treasury at Ward No. 5 in Mira Road. However, MBMC fined 09 establishments for avoiding the mask in ward no. 01 and collected Rs 200 each from them,” said Rajkumar Gharat, PRO, MBMC. MBMC Fines Shops
MBMC official charges Rs 500 to Croma, an electronic showroom for not maintaining social distancing in Bhayandar (West). However, Mr Gharat was also unable to explain why the officials fined two different amounts in three different wards.
Why Now?
So far, the municipal administration has not seen taking action against those who do not wear masks. However now, fearing the second wave of the COVID-19, the MBMC started fining the violators.
On Monday, mibhatimes.com has forwarded the three videos to both the commissioners and DCPs about the violation on the street and establishments.
