To ensure Covid-19 Appropriate Behaviour (CAB), Nagpur Municipal Corporation has increased component of fines so that violations are dealt with iron hand. Given the emergence of Omicron variant of COVID-19 which is highly contagious, it is imperative that all stakeholders stick to norms. Hence, for first violation the fines range from Rs 500 to upto Rs 50,000 depending upon gravity and category of violator. Further, Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B in the new order promulgated on Sunday, has stuck to guidelines issued by Maharashtra Government wherein deliberate and repeated violation may lead to sealing of establishment till COVID-19 pandemic concerns remain. As to non-wearing of mask by traveller the fine is of Rs 500 for repeated violation.

 

In public transport travellers not following norms can be deboarded from the vehicle and if noticed travelling without wearing the mask then either the driver or conductor can be hauled up and fined Rs 500 for failure to enforce norms. For the establishment the penalties are on quite higher side and they are entrusted task of strict enforcement of CAB from visitors and compliance with other sector specific rules. In case of default the establishment can be fined Rs 10,000. Further, if the establishment is seen as regular defaulter then authorities can seal the premises till COVID-19 notification remains in effect.

 

This provision is quite chilling and could knock off any establishment from the business on permanent basis. Apart from that for organisations and establishments besides CAB they have also to stuck with Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) and to deter any violation the fine of Rs. 50,000 is proposed for each instance of defiance. Besides there is also discretion of forcing down the shutter of business till COVID-19 norms remains in place. Persons travelling in taxis, autos too have to continue wearing masks and the defaulter can be fined Rs. 500 and also the service provider faces similar fine. However for owner of transport agency the penalties is Rs. 10,000. Continued violation can lead to closure of operation of transport agency. In case of repeated and serious or malafide violation, offence under secs. 269 or 270 of IPC in addition of sec. 188 of IPC can be registered wherein the violator can be arrested and face imprisonment.