No CAB? Cough up fine, says BBMP to Garuda mall

Y. Maheswara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: In a move that underscored the BBMP’s stepped up containment measures to ensure a possible third wave of the Coronavirus does not get out of hand, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Medical Officer of Health on Saturday imposed a penalty of Rs 20,000 on the popular Garuda Mall for not enforcing covid appropriate behaviour (CAB) on its visitors. “Our medical health officer has imposed a penalty of Rs 20,000 on Garuda Mall for not enforcing the CAB.

We will not hesitate to penalize malls and business establishments if they fail to enforce the CAB or allow visitors who are yet to get vaccinated. This measure will convey a message to other malls and business establishments,’’ said BBMP Special Commissioner (Health) Dr KV Trilok Chandra.

However, Uday Garudachar, MLA of Chickpet Assembly constituency, told News Trail that he would contest the penalty in the court. “Our staff have been enforcing all the norms, conducting a very strict supervision of all visitors while they enter the mall. It seems the BBMP, being a partner, has singled out Garuda Mall. Let them penalize other malls that are not following covid norms. I will not pay the penalty. I will contest this in court,’’ Uday Garudachar said.

He has also objected to the BBMP medical officer using unparliamentary language against mall employees. “The medical officer has not only threatened our employees but also used foul language against them,’’ he said.

When contacted, Dr G Srinivas, Medical Health Officer of Shanthi Nagar Division denied abusing the employees when he and his team were inspecting the mall. “I found the employees of Garuda Mall flouting the Covid norms. I found the staff not insisting that visitors produce vaccination certificates before allowing them to enter into the mall,’’ said Dr Srinivas.

He said that he has followed the higher authorities’ instructions and taken punitive measures as per the norms. “I visited Garuda Mall on Sunday, a day after the fine. I was very happy to see the employees of Garuda Mall following the norms. I have not targeted Garuda Mall. I have already messaged Garuda Mall management on WhatsApp about the need to enforce the CAB among the visitors,’’ he said.