Chennai: In the wake of the second wave of Coronavirus cases in the city, Greater Chennai Corporation is planning to resume imposition of fines for Covid norm violations.
Not just that, the civic body has fixed targets for collection of fine amount from residents and commercial establishments in each of the 15 zones to contain the spread of pandemic.
The information about the targets for fine collection was shared on social media on Friday, and it evoked a strong opposition from the public.
The city corporation has fixed a minimum target for staff in each of the 15 zones. According to this, the daily target for Tiruvottiyur and Manali zones are Rs 20,000.
For Madhavaram, the daily target is Rs 50,000. For Tondiarpet, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar and Ambattur zones, the daily target is Rs 60,000. Royapuram and Teynampet zones have the highest daily target of Rs 1.5 lakhs each.
In total, the city corporation is expected to collect Rs 10 lakh in fines a day. Corporation Commissioner G Prakash has advised all ‘assistant revenue officers, assessors, tax collectors and licensed inspectors to be on the job and achieve the desired targets, failing which disciplinary action will be taken against them.’ The zonal officials have been asked to keep a close watch on this.
The civic body announced that those violating the coronavirus norms would have to pay hefty fines ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 5,000.
While Rs 200 fine will be imposed on those who do not wear face masks in public places, it would be Rs 500 for those spitting in public places and it would be challaned on the spot.
The Corporation will also be issuing fines for violating social distancing norms at public places and the amount has been fixed at Rs 500 for the same.
Major hotspots in the spread of the pandemic have been markets, salons, big stores and commercial establishments like gyms and restaurants. The fine for violating social distancing norms in these places would be Rs 5,000.