People across the country are facing stricter penalties forviolating lockdown rules as coronavirus cases continue to rise. Rule violations include defying quarantine rules, not keeping distance, notwearing a mask when outside and spitting tobacco in public places.
In Punjab alone, a total of Rs 15 crore have been collected in fines by the Punjab policefrom the violators of COVID-19 rules. A major chunk of the collectedamount came from residents who were caught without a mask at public places tillJuly 31.
A total of 3,54,173 people were fined for not wearing masks in public places and as many as 1,460 FIRs were registered in relation to the violations. The fine was initially Rs 200 in the last week of May but was later updated to Rs 500.
As per data accessed by The Indian Express, Rs 14.90 crorein fines was collected from those not wearing masks. The fine was collected untilJuly 31.
A total of Rs 1.19 crore were collected from 25,308people in Jalandhar for the same violation, while Rs 91.81 lakh were collectedfrom 18,907 people in Ropar.
¡°Some violators would agree to pay fine, others would boastof connections and drop names. In those cases, FIRs were lodged,¡± said RoparSenior Superintendent of Police (SP) Swapan Sharma.
Punjab has imposed a fine of Rs 500 for not wearing mask inpublic place.
Around 551 FIRs were registered in Jalandhar against peoplewho were not wearing masks.?
In Ludhiana, the number of FIRs was 291 and inBatala, the number was 258. Ludhiana and Jalandhar were the areas with thehighest number of COVID-19 cases as well as deaths.
Also Read: UP Police Punish Lockdown Violators By Making Them Write 'Mask Lagaana Hai' 500 Times
As per guidelines from the Punjab CMO, COVID-19 patients who are found violating home isolation instructions will have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000.? Similarly, owners of restaurantsand other eateries will have to pay a penalty of Rs 5,000 if they arefound violating social distancing norms.
The state government said that violationof social distancing norms and social gatherings of more than the permittedstrength will lead to penalties amounting to up to Rs 10,000.
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As per the existing guidelines, shops and commercial placesare liable to pay Rs 2,000 for violation of social distancing norms, while forbuses and cars, such violations are punishable by Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000,respectively, and in the case of auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers, the finestands at Rs 500.
All Inputs PTI