Kalyan: The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has penalised 1,812 people for not wearing masks and thus collected a fine of Rs 9 lakh in the month of June. Similarly from July 1 to July 6, the KDMC had penalised 181 people to collect a fine of Rs 90,500.
With the cases of Covid-19 declining after a lockdown was imposed due to the second wave, the KDMC authorities kept the mask-up drive on, fining people for violating norms. "The drive is carried out in 10 different ward's in the corporation, under the leadership of the ward officer," said an official.
Similarly, in May the authorities penalised 4,585 people for not wearing a mask and collected a fine of Rs 22.93 lakh. "A dedicated team comprising KDMC officials and police keep a check in their respective wards catching the violators. Action is taken by fining them Rs 500 for violating Covid norms," added the officials.
Madhvi Pophale, public relation officer, KDMC said, "The team roaming around in the twin cities keeps creating awareness to wear masks. Even if the cases are declining, the virus is still around. We think for the safety of the people and the only option to be safe in public places is wearing a mask."
Taking safety and precautionary measures is every citizen's responsibility, she added, saying the drive will keep going on.
