Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, May 6: The government has taken measures to enforce norms and guidelines relating to coronavirus control. Those violating the rules are made to cough up fines. Puttur municipality has been imposing fines on those found violating the rules. However, the receipts issued on behalf of the municipality do not bear any serial numbers.

Covid marshals of the municipality, functioning under the leadership of health inspector, Shwetha Kiran and Ramachandra, move around the city and collect fines from the people found flouting the rules or shops which are found to be functioning beyond the permitted hours. But the absence of any serial numbers on the receipts issued by the marshals gives rise to suspicion that the amounts collected may be pocketed by the marshals instead of depositing in the municipality account.

The marshals are found to be issuing photocopies of the receipts in exchange for the fines received. If anyone demands original receipt, they are asked to visit the municipality and collect the same. Normally people do not take the pain to go to the municipal office to collect the original. There is suspicion that the officials, aware of this, might be adding the fine amounts to their personal accounts instead of the municipality.

Municipal commissioner here, Roopa Shetty, said that she has noted that receipts without serial numbers are issued for the fines collected in the city. She asked people having any doubts to personally visit the municipal office and verify whether the fines have been deposited.