Ahead of Diwali, the markets in city are crowded with people, and the civic administration has appealed to the citizens to avoid crowding as the risk of COVID-19 infection was not over. Further, the administration warned the shopkeepers violating the rules, of stringent action. And Municipal Commissioner issued the directions in this regard in a meeting of the officials of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and City Police on Monday. In the meeting, the civic chief asked the representatives of Sitabuldi Shop Association and hawkers to ensure that physical distancing was maintained and people used masks and sanitisers.
Otherwise a stringent action would be taken against shopkeepers. The shopkeeper violating the norms for the first will have to pay fine of Rs 5,000/-, second time violator will have to pay Rs 8,000/-fine, and third-time violator will have to pay Rs 10,000/- fine. Other actions such as prosecution, revoking license of shop etc could be taken if required, he added. He also directed the Assistant Commissioners to take necessary steps to regulate crowd in respective market areas. State Government and NMC have been issuing guidelines and pressing for following ‘SMS’strategy (sanitiser, mask, social distancing). Still, these guidelines are not being followed. Hence, Nuisance Detection Squad (NDS) and other officials have been empowered to initiate action against violators wherever necessary.
