PMC gets spitting mad

More than a month after the first swine flu death in the city, the civic body decides to crack down on spitting in public places

It is a case of too little too late, but after several swine flu deaths in the city the PMC seems to have finally woken up to the need to rein in the city's spit masters.

About a month-and-a-half after the first H1N1 death in the city, on August 3, the civic body is now thinking of coming down heavily on offenders. Despite knowing that the H1N1 virus spreads through droplets expelled by coughing, sneezing and spitting, the spitting saga has gone unchecked so far.

Petty fine
At present, the PMC catches only around 200 defaulters every day and collects a petty fine of Rs 25, which is not enough of a deterrent.

Vijay Dhaibhate, PMC deputy commissioner (zone one), told MiD DAY, "Each of the 14 PMC wards has 10-12 member multipurpose squads to stop people from defacing the city putting up banners, littering or spitting. We recently conducted a campaign, targeting pan shops in Warje and Aundh. We caught several spit masters.

Each of the four zones fine around 50 offenders every day.

"We will soon issue guidelines to the squads to strengthen the drive against spit masters. We are thinking of increasing the fine too."

Dr Avinash Bhondave, ex-president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), stressed on the need for the PMC to pull up their socks. "It's not just swine flu; all kinds of influenza, tuberculosis and pneumonia can spread through spitting. The swine flu virus stays alive for two to eight hours, but the TB virus stays alive for a longer duration," Dr Bhondave said.

He added, "The PMC conducted a similar drive in November last year. But it was only for a brief period. Unless the PMC consistently pursues this nothing will change."