In a bid to stem the spread of novel coronavirus in city, Municipal Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe directed administration to track down violators and register FIR against them. Under Mission Begin Again, State Government, while moving towards easing the lockdown, laid down stipulations that have to be obeyed strictly. However, apart from people even traders are taking the guidelines lightly. At many places even the basic norm of wearing mask at public place is being violated.

 

In a final warning, Mundhe said, “In case people are averse to obeying the rules that are must so that outbreak of the virus can be contained, police should register criminal offence and initiate action. The increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases and more worrying COVID-19 fatality figure rising, is a worrying sign and indicative that people are taking the virus threat lightly. But few violators are jeopardising health of other citizens. Hence they need to be isolated and disciplined.”

 

Municipal Commissioner issued the directives during a meeting with civic and police administration officers on Friday. “If Nagpur does not need to go for another round of lockdown as was done in other center to break the transmission chain, the administration would have to deal strictly. Offence be registered for not wearing face mask, violation of norm of physical distancing, against commercial establishments for not adhering to norms of timings and same be done under Epidemic Act,” added Mundhe.

 

The meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioners of all 10 zones of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), senior officers of city police, including Additional Commissioner of Police, Zonal Deputy Commissioners of Police, and senior officers of civic body.

 

During the meeting, Mundhe pointed out that at time of Mission Begin Again phase the patients in city numbered 400 and till Friday, July 16, morning the numbers rose to 2,100. This indicates that within one-and-a-half months the number of patient rose to 1,700.

 

An assessment on part of civic officials revealed that a prime reason behind this is citizens and traders alike not sporting face mask in market places.

 

Traders are not adhering to guidelines at their shops and even night curfew is being openly violated, he added. Now that citizens and businessmen are not adhering to rules, Mundhe directed the officials concerned to impose on the spot fines. The NDS squad and city police should starting implementing rules on mission mode.

 

Crackdown on hawkers: Acting on information shared by police officials about violation on part of hawkers, Municipal Commissioner directed civic officials to act against them. Police officials said that while shops are governed by odd/ even rule, hawkers are working seven days a week by changing places.

 

Also action be initiated if citizens are violating norms relating to travelling in vehicle should be implemented strictly as many a times due to lax vigilance triple seat riding is seen on city roads. Even four-wheelers against norm of three persons many more are travelling and during night time youngsters are roaming around city. Fine amount to increase: Municipal Commissioner also hinted that fine levied on shopkeepers for not adhering to norms of timing would have to shell out more amount.

 

Despite cut off timing of 7 pm in markets shops are functioning till 9 and 10 pm as if there is no threat and such activities are attracting more crowd in already densely populated area. Night curfew: Police officials were directly to strictly impose night curfew that kicks in from 9 pm to 5 am. All unauthorised movement during this restricted period needs to be curbed and action initiated against violators. Nakabandi be enforced in the same way as was done during the lockdown period to ensure that it act as deterrent and put restrictions on violators.

 

Attendance at offices: The meeting also discussed attendance at private and Government offices. On this, Mundhe said, “Each one should follow the guidelines of State Government. At private offices, maximum persons allowed is 10 per cent of work force or maximum 15 persons. Similarly, Government offices categorised as emergency services like Health Department, LIC, Food and Civil Supplies, NMC, FCI and NYK are exempted from restrictions about presence of employees.”

 

Before opting for another round of lockdown to contain COVID-19 pandemic in city, Municipal Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said, “All options would be examined in the prevailing situation. At present, the situation in city, though worrisome, is under control and hence in first phase the administration would go for stricter implementations of rules.”

“Still, if citizens and traders continue violating the norms and COVID-19 cases keep rising, then lockdown may be enforced in city,” he added. Making his stand clear, Mundhe said, he personally is not in favour of another round of lockdown.