As the number of coronavirus cases increase in Delhi, L-G Anil Baijal has decided to crack the whip. Now fine has to be paid for not wearing masks or not maintaining social distancing. The L-G has approved rules and instructions such as following quarantine rules, adherence to social distancing, face mask/cover compulsory at all public places and worksites and consumption of paan, gutka and tobacco in public places are prohibited.
Violation of these will result in Rs 500 fine for first-time offenders and Rs 1,000 for repeat offenders. In case of failure to pay the penalty, action will be taken against violators under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
Delhi Government will take action on the violation of Delhi Pandemic Disease (Management of Covid-19) Regulations, 2020. Congress State President Anil Chaudhary said to The Daily Guardian, “Earlier too many of these fines were imposed, what happened to them? You have already increased the burden on people by increasing petrol, diesel and CNG prices. The govt should win the public’s trust and not take such strict steps. Fight against the virus and not the public.”
BJP National Vice President Shyam Jaju said, “PM Modi made everyone clank plates, clap and light the lamps during the lockdown as people have an emotional attachment with them. The way to connect with the public. Masks and social distancing are new for society and people are adapting to the change since they want to be safe. These things should be investigated first as people do not follow anything due to fear of law.”
AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj, while replying to BJP and Congress, told The Daily Guardian, “who is Lieutenant Governor in Delhi? We are working according to Centre’s guideline. In these testing times, leaving politics aside, we need to fight this pandemic and not play politics.”