Corpn to fix fine for shops violating safety guidelines

Chennai

Shop owners are penalised for violation of social distancing norms, overcrowding, lack of sanitisers and turning on air conditioners. But as of now, there is no common order fixing fine amounts. “Due to this, our officials are collecting different amounts that vary from zone to zone," said an official, adding that the process to fix uniform penalty was under way and would be made public soon. "Now, our field officials are collecting lesser amounts from owners of big establishments as well as from the smaller shops. This is not making sense. Stiffer penalties for big establishments will discourage them from flouting norms," he added.

The civic body will also start collecting penalty if shop owners allow customers without masks into the shops or found selling items to such customers, making it the responsibility of shop owners to ensure safety.

During the lockdown period, the civic body sealed more than 1,500 shops for various violations. But there was no uniform action against the shop owners. In Tiruvottiyur zone, zonal officials sealed a shop, but allowed it to reopen the same day after collecting fine amount. "I had opened the shop for cleaning as it remained closed for several days. Officials sealed the shop and collected Rs 1,500 and handed over the key the same day," the shop owner said.

Earlier, the civic body was sealing the shops for three months. Later, the period was reduced to 10 days and then to one week depending on the zone and official in the field.