Coronavirus: FIRs against over 350 shops, offices for doing business despite closure order in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad

Pune/Pimpri: The police in Pune City and Pimpri-Chinchwad have taken action against over 350 shops, offices for doing business despite closure order, in the last two days. Only essential commodities shops like those selling milk, vegetables, grocery items and medicines are allowed to open.

According to DCP Sudhir Hiremath of Pimpri-Chinchwad Police, FIRs were registered against 129 establishments on Thursday, while today 64 cases were registered.

DCP Bachchan Singh of Pune city police said that on Thursday 78 cases were registered, while till 7.30 pm today, 76 cases were registered.

The process of compiling data is still going on and hence the number of cases will be more.

All shops, offices in Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nagpur closed down from midnight barring essential commodities shops

Stating that it is not possible to close down public transport completely, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said that there is a need to make more vigorous efforts to prevent the spread of Corona epidemic and it is essential to take more precautions for next 15 to 20 days. As a part of these precautions, the Chief Minister told that the presence in Government offices would be brought down to 25 per cent.

During his live broadcast, Chief Minister announced that all shops, establishments and private offices would be closed down till March 31st which fall in Mumbai Metropolitan Region as well as Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur. He announced that these orders would be implemented from midnight and only shops which are related to essential commodities, milk and medical shops can be opened.

Stating that if at all there is any doubt in the minds of people, they can contact either district collector or municipal commissioner, Chief Minister appealed it to the shop owners that even though the shops are closed down, please do not stop paying their daily minimum wages or salaries to the workers working in the shops since they have their livelihood on their jobs.

Stating that time has come for all of us to remain at home to be alive, Chief Minister said that many people have started helping and many stalwarts have stopped their work to help us. He said that he thanks people from the film industry and sports field who have taken initiative in this regard.

Stating that whatever Government was doing for the larger public interest, Chief Minister said that many people have suggested to close down trains and buses but how can we provide transport to people who are working for emergency services? How would municipal corporation workers and drivers of various Government vehicles commute? That is the reason, we have decided against stopping public transport and have brought down the number of employees in Government offices to 25 per cent. He reminded that it was only two days back that he had taken the decision of bringing down this number to fifty per cent.