Maharashtra collected total fine of just  Rs 4,860 for Spitting in Public despite strict rules

Mumbai: Since May, the public health department has managed to collect just Rs 4,860 in fine across the entire state. The Maharashtra government introduced an anti-spitting notification to prevent people from spitting in the month of May.  Health Minister Rajesh Tope announced the anti-spitting rule to decrease the possibility of spread of coronavirus through spitting. The notification consisted of paying penalties by offenders. However, health officials failed to regulate and fine offenders in both urban and rural districts due to lack of personnel.

Pune collected Rs 2,600, Bhandara Rs 2,200 and Satara Rs 60, state public health department data shows. That means no other districts collected fine from offenders. The state government is using Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic to increase awareness. Since a decade, the spitting was prohibited, but no measures have been taken in the past to penalize offenders. The fine goes up to Rs 1,000 for the first violation along with one day of social service. Those found repeating the offence will have to shell out Rs 3,000 and three days of public service. Third time offenders will have to pay Rs 5,000 and five days of public service.

If an infected person spits in public, passersby have higher risk of coming in contact with coronavirus. Health officials said tobacco chewers pose greater risk to the general public.

Ganesh Sonawane, from Directorate of Health Services, said, “Each district civil surgeon is asked to penalize people for spitting but health department officials refrain from penalizing people in public places without police support. Since it is not easy to go around with police to look for violators the fine collection is low.”

The people are charged for violation of not wearing a mask and gathering in a group, but people spitting in public are not fined due to lack of police support.  District health officer Dr HV Wadgave pointed out, “We have to depute officials in the district to fine people not wearing masks and violating social distancing norms. So far we have collected over Rs 50 lakh fine.”