In an attempt to ensure strict implementation of the COVID-19 mask rule in public places, the civic body in Maharashtras Thane city has decided to rope in the police, mayor Naresh Mhaske said on Wednesday. In an official release, the mayor said the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has decided to take the help of police to collect fines from citizens who dont wear masks in public places. City police commissioner Vivek Phansalkar and the civic commissioner Dr Vipin Sharma have declared that the rule will be implemented strictly, the statement said. Of the fines collected by the police, 50 per cent will be deposited with the civic body and the remaining will be credited to the police welfare fund, Mhaske said. Meanwhile, in view of the rising cases of COVID-19, the civic corporations in and around Thane have intensified their drive and have been fining thousands of people every day, an official said. The TMC has collected Rs 5.5 lakh in fines from people caught without masks, the civic bodys public relations officer Sandeep Malavi said. Apart from this, the corporation has sealed 132 shops that operated beyond the permissible time of 7 pm in the city, he said. In Navi Mumbai, the civic body has collected Rs 6.5 lakh in fines from violators so far, while the Kalyan Dombivili Municipal Corporation has collected Rs 82,3000 in fines in the last 10 days, officials said. Keep scrolling to read more news Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news

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