Not wearing mask when outside home in Khammam can invite Rs 1,000 fine

HYDERABAD: Days after the Telangana government made it mandatory for people to wear face masks while stepping out, some district administrations have begun imposing fines on offenders. Though the government has not made any official announcement on collecting penalties, Khammam district officials said anybody who fails to wear a mask would invite a fine of Rs 1,000.
At some other places in the state, local revenue authorities are imposing fines for violating lockdown norms or for not wearing the masks. In Manuguru mandal in Bhadradri-Kothagudem, a gram panchayat imposed a penalty of Rs 100 on a person for roaming on the road without a mask and issued a challan for the amount.
Special chief secretary, health and medical, A Santhi Kumari urged the collectors to ensure that people wear masks to help curb the spread of coronavirus. The Odisha government has already imposed a fine of Rs 200 for not wearing masks for the first, second and third offence. The penalty will go up to Rs 500 for subsequent offences.
Khammam collector RV Karnan, while urging people to stay indoors, launched a crackdown on first-aid and RMP clinics. In all, 1,515 such clinics were closed. The administration has urged people to visit the local primary health centre if they have any health issues in the wake of Covid-19.
While police have been booking cases against violators for spitting in public, a fine of Rs 500 is being imposed on those venturing out. In Metla Chittapur village in Jagtial district, the local gangaputra sangham was fined Rs 500 for selling fish at a public place in violation of the lockdown norms.
Meanwhile, in Nalgonda, the authorities have made available an app for people to make requests during the lockdown. Collector Prashant Patil said that through the ‘MeeKosam’ app people can order home delivery of essentials and seek medical assistance. Medical counselling will also be provided.