Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (DV)
Udupi, Mar 23: Deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha on Tuesday, March 23 directed the officials to book those who violate the Covid-19 guidelines by not wearing masks or keeping in mind social distancing.
He was speaking at a virtual meet organised along with tahsildars, taluk panchayat executive engineers, Udupi City Municipal Council commissioner, officials of the Urban Local Bodies.
"Initiate action against the malls and halls who violate the Covid-19 guidelines and allow the assembly of people more than what is mentioned in the government circular and those who fail to maintain social distance. The administration has given concerned officials the freedom to impose a fine if they find any violation of health guidelines. If the officials failed to impose a fine against violators, action will be initiated against the particular officer," DC warned.
It is necessary to follow the Covid-19 guidelines, to check the spread of the second wave of Covid-19. Therefore, the officials have been directed to take the required action against the violators.
Additional DC Sadhashiva Prabhu, Urban Development Cell Project director Aruna Prabha and others were present.
DC Jagadeesha conducts surprise raid
The Udupi deputy commissioner conducted a surprise raid to take to task the violators of Covid-19 guidelines. The DC also imposed a fine of Rs 100 on the people who were found without a mask.
The raid was also conducted in the Udupi service bus stand and malls.
Circle inspector Manjunath distributed masks to those who were found without wearing masks.
Over four shops were issued a fine of Rs 5,000 each.
Speaking to media persons, the DC said, "As we have seen, the corona cases are increasing in number mainly in the MIT Manipal campus. The surprise raid we conducted today is not just for collecting fine but for raising awareness about the Covid pandemic. A meeting was held with health department officials, and other department officials to contain the second wave of Covid and to raise awareness among people. We carried out a raid at shopping malls and imposed fines on people found violating the health norms. Concerned officials have been instructed to do the same across Udupi. Organisers of any programme and public events will be required to obtain permission from the administration."
"People must ensure that they are wearing a mask before leaving their house. If people continue to disobey government orders we will impose a criminal case against them," he added.
"Of 28 Covid positive cases, seven were from MIT Campus. We have tested 4,000 students and collected 1,000 samples in one day. The situation is under control, our ultimate aim is to make MIT corona-free," the DC informed.
The government circular is applicable to religious, political, private and public programmes as well. No permission will be granted for the assembly of more than 500 people and clear instructions in this regard have been conveyed to the temple management, the DC stated.
"There is no necessity of imposing lockdown in Udupi as of now and people should not worry about it. However, this does not give people the freedom to violate health guidelines. The public should follow all the Covid-19 guidelines such as maintaining social distance, wearing a mask and using hand sanitisers while in a public place," he maintained.