KOLKATA: More than 30 per cent of Kolkatans in the markets are resistant when it comes to wearing masks, according to a recent study conducted by city-based NGO World for Better Living.
Citing the study’s results that these people are helping in community spread of coronavirus, the NGO has written to the civic body and Kolkata Police to fine offenders on-the-spot.
“We have analysed and identified some of the hotspots for anti-mask sentiment by conducting a sample survey of seven of our KMC markets,” said Sudipto Modak, general secretary, World for Better Living.
The markets were mainly chosen according to their proximity to the containment zones. They are Lansdowne market near Chakraberia and Sarat Bose Road contentment zones, Jadu Babur Bazar near the Puddapukur containment zone, Tollygunge market near New Alipore which was in the first list of containment zones, Lake market, Chetla market near Alipur, Raja Santosh Roy Road (from where a number of Covid cases have been reported), Charu market, Southern market near Prince Anwar Shah (another red zone).
Around 100 people were photographed and questioned in each of these markets in the last few weeks between 9am and 12.30pm.
“They included both shopkeepers and consumers. The figures vary slightly for each of the markets. We have found a mean from all the figures and it transpires that more than 30 per cent of the people in the various markets, which are frequented by those living in south Kolkata, are indifferent to using masks,” said green activist SM Ghosh, president of World for Better Living.
Based on the survey’s findings, the NGO has written to Kolkata Police and KMC to start charging at least Rs 500 for everyone who is found without a mask in public places or places where more people have assembled.
Modak said, “The Kerala government has imposed a whopping Rs 10,000 or a two-year jail term for not wearing a mask. We can at least follow Ahmedabad civic authorities who are charging offenders with Rs 500".
Ghosh said the Kerala government has amended the Kerala Epidemic Diseases Control Ordinance 2020 to give it more teeth.
“Earlier the fine for not wearing a mask was Rs 2,200. Now it has been increased manifold to make people take the norms seriously,” he added.
“The Ahmedabad civic body has increased the fine from Rs 200 to Rs 500,” said Ghosh, adding, our plea and findings should not come as a surprise to the police who can see for themselves how the mandatory face-covering order is being violated. But the survey might come handy in penalizing violators or executive orders as Covid-19 continues to surge statewide.
Citing the study’s results that these people are helping in community spread of coronavirus, the NGO has written to the civic body and Kolkata Police to fine offenders on-the-spot.
“We have analysed and identified some of the hotspots for anti-mask sentiment by conducting a sample survey of seven of our KMC markets,” said Sudipto Modak, general secretary, World for Better Living.
The markets were mainly chosen according to their proximity to the containment zones. They are Lansdowne market near Chakraberia and Sarat Bose Road contentment zones, Jadu Babur Bazar near the Puddapukur containment zone, Tollygunge market near New Alipore which was in the first list of containment zones, Lake market, Chetla market near Alipur, Raja Santosh Roy Road (from where a number of Covid cases have been reported), Charu market, Southern market near Prince Anwar Shah (another red zone).
Around 100 people were photographed and questioned in each of these markets in the last few weeks between 9am and 12.30pm.
“They included both shopkeepers and consumers. The figures vary slightly for each of the markets. We have found a mean from all the figures and it transpires that more than 30 per cent of the people in the various markets, which are frequented by those living in south Kolkata, are indifferent to using masks,” said green activist SM Ghosh, president of World for Better Living.
Based on the survey’s findings, the NGO has written to Kolkata Police and KMC to start charging at least Rs 500 for everyone who is found without a mask in public places or places where more people have assembled.
Modak said, “The Kerala government has imposed a whopping Rs 10,000 or a two-year jail term for not wearing a mask. We can at least follow Ahmedabad civic authorities who are charging offenders with Rs 500".
Ghosh said the Kerala government has amended the Kerala Epidemic Diseases Control Ordinance 2020 to give it more teeth.
“Earlier the fine for not wearing a mask was Rs 2,200. Now it has been increased manifold to make people take the norms seriously,” he added.
“The Ahmedabad civic body has increased the fine from Rs 200 to Rs 500,” said Ghosh, adding, our plea and findings should not come as a surprise to the police who can see for themselves how the mandatory face-covering order is being violated. But the survey might come handy in penalizing violators or executive orders as Covid-19 continues to surge statewide.
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