Wearing of a face mask has been made mandatory to avoid infection from the deadly Coronavirus. However, in the villages of Adpai and Durbhat in Ponda, many people do not feel it important to wear masks in public places. It is probably people have started getting this idea that since Covid cases are on the decline, the danger no more exists. The municipalities and village panchayats have been granted necessary powers to issue fines to the violators. However, as far as the above villages are concerned, the VP of Adpai-Durbhat has not considered the matter seriously and hence does not issue fines on the defaulters. As a result many people just ignore the above obligation and do not wear the mask. Some even move around by lowering the same. In case this VP issues fines on the defaulters, people will indeed be compelled to wear the mask compulsorily. Alternately, the panchayat will also earn some revenue. The Directorate of Panchayats as a competent authority should issue a circular to all 191 VPs in the state thereby instructing them to take up this matter seriously and not overlook it at any instance. Panchayats should be advised to send daily reports to the above authority regarding the number of cases booked for flouting the above norm. No doubt, compulsory wearing of mask at villages should be assured at all costs.
