Surat: 4,300 fined, Rs 8.6 lakh collected in five days

SURAT: With the disgruntlement around the heavy traffic fines yet to subside, people are now subjected to yet another round of penalty — that of not wearing masks in public. Meanwhile, police have already started penalising mask offenders and at least 4,300 individuals have been fined of Rs 8.6 lakh since June 18.
Going by state government’s directives, the police along with civic authorities have been authorised to collect cash fine from those caught without mask in public places. Most of those penalised were commuters caught driving vehicle without masks.

Police have also started registering offences against those seen without mask on CCTV camera of police control room during lockdown. However, after the government’s recent order, cops are now collecting fines in cash.
“We have started collecting fines from mask-less individuals and have caught over 1,400 on Monday, the highest in a day till now,” said R B Brahmbhatt, city police commissioner.
Following the state government order of June 16, the city police also got a receipt book printed.