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PMC to conduct surprise raids to contain Covid inappropriate behaviour
PUNE: With most establishments reopened, the markets are teeming with customers largely seen defying covid norms which has forced the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and district administration to carry out surprise raids in all such areas
PUNE: With most establishments reopened, the markets are teeming with customers largely seen defying covid norms which has forced the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and district administration to carry out surprise raids in all such areas. Besides, traders who had earlier promised to follow Covid norms when urging the administration to extend operational timings are now seen flouting them in many places as markets remain open for a longer time. While regular drives on a ward-to-ward basis are already underway, the same will be intensified in the coming days in view of the crowding at marketplaces.
Dr Kunal Khemnar, additional municipal commissioner, PMC, said, “There is a need to increase surprise raids in markets and I will be informing the same to all my ward officers. Things cannot be taken lightly by traders and customers who are visiting the markets. We have been warned by the district magistrate and if the number of cases increases, we will have to again impose a set of restrictions.”
There were huge crowds at Raviwar peth on Wednesday as people were seen purchasing rakhis ahead of Raksha Bandhan which falls on August 22. Ganesh Chaturthi preparations have also started with several retailers buying decorations and other accessories.
On his part, Mahendra Pitaliya, secretary, Federation of Trade Association of Pune, said, “We are going to distribute 40,000 “no mask, no entry” stickers among traders. They all need to take special precautions otherwise the lockdown will be back. We have also noticed a surge in the number of customers and are alerting all about following covid regulations. Regular customers should be called on an appointment basis to avoid rush while maintaining social distance.”
Despite Pitaliya’s claim, only one shop out of the many at Raviwar peth was seen with the “no mask, no entry” sticker at its entrance.
The owner of Babulal Gokuldas and Sons said, “All shop owners want to run their business like normal. Many a time, social distancing rules are flouted but we are trying to control such behaviour. The rush has increased in markets due to the upcoming festive season.”
Meanwhile, the PMC is also keeping a close watch on pop-ups coming up on footpaths for selling wares. “We will not be allowing more structures to come up on footpaths as it makes the streets more congested,” Dr Khemnar said
