Authorities of the Alipurduar civic body have decided to impose fines on shop owners and traders in the town from Sunday if anyone is found violating curbs imposed by the state government to control the Covid-19 surge.

The municipality can take more stringent steps such as cancellation of the trade licence issued by the civic body to commercial units.

“From Sunday, fresh restrictions have been imposed by the state and business hours of shops and trading establishments have been fixed. To confirm that shop owners and traders of Alipurduar town follow curbs and don’t keep their places open beyond stipulated hours, we have formed teams that will move across the town to check for violations,” said Mihir Dutta, the administrator of Alipurduar municipality.

According to him, a shop is supposed to remain open from 7am to 10am. If found open beyond 10am, the owner has to pay a fine ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000.

“If after repeated warnings, a shop flouts restrictions, we may cancel its trade licence. For residents, our message is that all should wear masks. Anybody found without a mask will be charged a fine of Rs 200. Other legal steps will follow,” added Dutta.