Revenue minister R Ashoka defends mask action in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Revenue minister R Ashoka on Saturday defended the crackdown on people not using masks amid complaints of harassment by BBMP marshals. “Everybody must wear a mask. Action needs to be taken against those not doing it. I have been to New Delhi, where the fine for violating the rule is Rs 5,000. Compared to that, the fine in Bengaluru is very low,” he said.
The penalty in Bengaluru is Rs 250. A number of citizens have claimed that BBMP marshals are selective in enforcing Covid-19 safety rules.
Ashoka praised those following Covid-appropriate behaviour: “Almost 90 per cent of the people in Bengaluru wear masks. We need to enforce the rule on the remaining 10 per cent.”
He said that necessary precautions were being taken while reopening schools in the city. “As per the education minister’s order, government and corporation schools in Bengaluru will reopen from August 23. Given that each class would have 40 to 50 students, we want to ensure that there is no spread of the virus from schools,” he said.
He added education officials had set guidelines, including steps for transporting schoolchildren.