Prayagraj: Despite the second wave’s lethal run in April and March, people in the Sangam City have learnt no lesson and continue to ditch Covid-19 protocols.
Challans issued to people in Prayagraj for not wearing masks are more than five times compared to the neighbouring districts like Kaushambi, Fatehpur and Pratapgarh.
On an average, 300 people are fined in the city every day, while just 60 to 80 are penalised in the neighbouring districts.
Officials of the health department and police have asked people not to lower guard and strictly follow Covid norms.
Till date, cops have initiated action against over 3.92 lakh people for not wearing masks and realized Rs 4.85 crore in the form of fine in the four districts.
While Prayagraj has the highest number of defaulters who ditched masks, Fatehpur has the highest number of cases against people spitting in public places since the outbreak of the disease.
As per the statistics revealed by Prayagraj range police, the highest number of challans (2,70,320) against the violators were issued in Prayagraj, followed by Pratapgarh ( 52,029), Kaushambi (36,785) and Fatehpur (32,974).
In Prayagraj, police realized the highest penalty (Rs 3.38 crore), followed by Pratapgarh ( Rs 55.04 lakhs), Kaushambi (Rs55.31lakh), and Fatehpur (Rs 36.17 lakh).
IG (Prayagraj range) K P Singh told TOI, 3,92,108 people were fined in four districts of the range for not wearing masks.
He said, 3,815 people were also challaned for spitting in public places or roads, including Prayargaj (88), Kaushambi (751), Fatehpur (2,851) and Pratapgarh (125).
Cops also realized Rs 3.85 lakh from defaulters on charges of spitting on roads and public places, including Prayagraj (Rs 12,000), Fatehpur ( Rs 2.85 lakh), Kaushambi (Rs75,800) and Pratapgarh (Rs 12,500).
Singh said, “Police have been taking up a drive against people not wearing masks at every nook and corner of the four districts of the range and penalising them on the spot…
It’s high time people understood their responsibility too.” A senior health official has warned that there should be strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols, else caseload would increase in coming day.