Pune: Housing societies begin fumigation, ‘needless waste of chemical’, says PMC

She said if the chemical used for disinfecting is used injudiciously, it will cause a shortage later when there is an actual need for it.

Sandeep Rairikar, a resident of Sun Planet Society in the city, said, “Our society has six buildings with 170 occupants. All the buildings have been sanitised with sodium hypochlorite, which protects from 11 viruses. I studied on the internet what chemical is used by China and internationally recommended for fumigation. Accordingly, we ordered sodium hypochlorite, diluted it with water and sprayed it on all surfaces and walls.”

In some housing societies, residents were seen washing the floors, stairs and common areas.

Corporators, too, have been demanding that the PMC disinfect the localities in their respective electoral wards.

“The deserted city roads and footpaths are being disinfected to meet the demands of corporators, which is a waste of chemical as well as time and energy of civic staff,” said a civic personnel involved in sanitising.

PMC sources said they have also received complaints from alert residents reporting disinfection drives being carried out on deserted streets.

Man arrested for selling banned tobacco items during lockdown

A man was arrested in Nigdi Wednesday for plying banned tobacco products on a two-wheeler despite the lockdown.

The accused, Mehboob Hussain Karwal (24), was caught by a patrol of Pimpri-Chinchwad police officers and officials of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). Banned tobacco products worth Rs 16,452 were recovered from his possession.

“Accused was arrested at 10 pm on Wednesday. He was produced before a court Thursday, which granted him bail. We suspect he was selling banned tobacco products on his two-wheeler during the lockdown,” said Sub-Inspector S S Ohol.

An offence has been registered against Karwal under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code for violating orders passed by the government to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

He has also been booked under sections IPC 272 (adulteration of food or drink intended for sale), 273 (Sale of noxious food or drink ), 328 (Causing hurt by means of poison) and sections of Food Safety and Standards Act.