Look before you spit,PMC is watching

In order to contain the spread of the H1N1 virus,the Pune Municipal Corporation has decided to impose a fine of Rs 1,000 on those who the spit in public space.

In order to contain the spread of the H1N1 virus,the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to impose a fine of Rs 1,000 on those who the spit in public space.

According to a PMC press note,civic chief Mahesh Zagade has made this move after he was given special powers by the state government under Section 319 of the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporation (BPMC) Act,1949. The special powers were given to the commissioner considering the swine flu epidemic in the city in the past couple of months.

The multi-purpose nuisance detection squads,medical officers and ward officers have been assigned the task of imposing a fine against the spitters. The ban on spitting in public places begins today and will continue till the epidemic is declared over,said the press note. “The measure is necessary as the H1N1 virus can remain alive in sputum for eight to nine hours,” it states.

Zagade has directed the civic medical staff to start administering Tamiflu to the patients who show swine flu symptoms and not wait till the throat swabs are sent for tests. He has issued orders to take stringent measures against the citizens who deface the city by throwing garbage on the road,sticking posters on the walls,dumping construction waste randomly,parking vehicles at unauthorised places,honking needlessly,etc.

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories