People flouting COVID norms at India Gate lawns fined

As per Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's June 14 direction of charging fine of ₹500 from those flouting quarantine rules i.e., not wearing masks, not maintaining social distancing and chewing and spitting tobacco in public places in the national capital, Delhi Police on Sunday issued a number of challans to those who had gathered in the lawns of India Gate flouting COVID norms.

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Sunday launched a special drive against those who had gathered in the lawns of India Gate, violating social distancing norms and other restrictions.

"Public was first made aware of these rules on loudspeakers. Those who did not pay heed to it and violated norms were issued challans and fines of Rs 500. A total of 25 challans were issued," said Rajender Dubey, ACP, Barakhamba Road.

On Sunday, a total of 1,847 challans were issued for mask violation. Total challans issued till date for mask violation in Delhi are 1,45,636. Delhi Police also issued 19 challans for spitting on the day. Total challans issued till date for spitting are 2,325. A total of 118 challans were issued for social distancing violations on Sunday. Challans issued till date for social distancing violation in Delhi has been 18,282.

Earlier on June 14, to crack down on those violating rules of safety protocol to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had approved rules imposing a fine of ₹500 on those flouting quarantine rules, not wearing masks, not maintaining social distancing and chewing and spitting tobacco in public places in Delhi.

Under the new rules, health department officials, district magistrates (DMs), sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) and officers authorised by them, besides Delhi Police officers had been allowed to impose fines on the spot.

The new rules had come in the wake of a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in the national capital. But Delhi has been witnessing a sharp decline in cases for the past few weeks and on Sunday, the number of recoveries in the national capital was more than double the fresh cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. The coronavirus recovery rate in Delhi has now improved to more than 90 %, with 652 new cases and 1,310 recoveries being reported in a day, authorities said on Sunday.

Delhi's coronavirus tally now stands at 1,52,580, of which 1,37,561 have recovered, according to the health bulletin.

With inputs from IANS