MUMBAI: A week after instructions issued by BMC chief I S Chahal on strictly penalising those without face masks in public places, especially in the wake of Omicron concerns, civic data shows an almost 100% rise in the number of maskless persons who were fined over the weekend as compared to the previous month.
On December 4, the number of such persons had crossed 10,000 while the fine collected was Rs. 21.2 lakh. Last month, on the same date, a mere 4,000 people were fined. In a meeting held on November 27 to prepare for the new variant, the BMC chief had said, “Citizens not wearing masks and establishments not following Covid-appropriate behaviour will be fined, the number of marshals will be increased and a target of 25,000 fines per day will be maintained.”
Deputy municipal commissioner Sangeeta Hasnale, in charge of the solid waste management department, said, “We have asked the marshals to be more vigilant. If there is a demand from wards, we do not mind increasing the number of marshals as well. The drive so far has been very effective in cleanup marshals acting against those not putting on their face masks. In case of complaints either from citizens or from the marshals, action is taken accordingly. In case of complaints against marshals, action includes blacklisting the agency itself. We are currently in the process of reappointing a new agency too.”
Colaba corporator Makrand Narwekar, though, said the marshals have not been effective. “We regularly get complaints against the marshals, like them trying to extort money from the public, than comments that the drive is a good initiative.”
On Monday, Sejal Desai, BJP corporator from Malad, took to social media over a civic staff member not wearing a face mask. She said, “...On one hand BMC is trying to take measures to curb the spread of the virus and unfortunately on another side their own staff as such is moving around setting a bad example.”
Marine Drive’s Mahendra Hemdev said the marshals too face refusal to pay. “At such times the police along the road have to intervene as the public picks up a fight with the marshals. These marshals are never seen alone and at most times are moving in groups, probably fearing resistance from the public too.”
