Ghaziabad: Over 60,500 people have been challaned under the Epidemic Diseases Act for not wearing
masks in public places ever since the Covid-induced
lockdown was enforced on March 25. The authorities have collected Rs 71.2 lakh in fines from the violators.
Officials said a total of Rs 3.1 crore has been collected in fines for lockdown-related offences this year. Data sourced from the Ghaziabad administration revealed that a total of 2,677 FIRs have been registered under IPC Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) across the district since March 25. During this period, 7,099 of the 7,179 people booked were arrested as well.
As many as 2.4 lakh were challaned under the Motor Vehicles Act and fines worth Rs 1.7 crore were imposed on the offenders. At the same time, 3,382 vehicles were seized.
Similarly, 18,763 people were challaned under the Epidemic Diseases Act and Covid-19 guidelines for riding with another person on a two-wheeler. Penalties worth Rs 42.2 lakh were imposed for this offence. To ensure social distancing norms, the authorities had disallowed two persons from riding a two-wheeler.
The authorities have also fined 11,779 people who violated lockdown rules. Penalties worth Rs 26 lakh were imposed on them.
District magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey said, “Wearing masks and maintaining social distancing norms are the two important steps to tackle this infection. An action plan to control Covid-19 has been prepared. And it is being implemented.”
Police have been asked to strictly take action against people who do not wear masks or cover their faces with clothes in public places. Sub-divisional magistrates and circle officers have been directed to inspect police stations to see their records in this regard, the DM added. The Ghaziabad administration has also asked trade organisations to ensure that shopkeepers adhere to the timings to open and close their establishments.