Since the start of the pandemic, the BBMP has deployed over 230 male marshals to ensure that people follow Covid-19 protocols, such as wearing masks and maintaining social distance. Marshals have been instructed to patrol public areas such as busy streets and markets.
"We have hired 11 BBMP women marshals for the first time on an experimental basis. They have undergone similar training as male marshals, and will be deployed at select maternity homes, Covid care centres, triaging and stabilisation centres in the city," Col Rajbir Singh, chief marshal officer, BBMP told.
The BBMP also intends to deploy female marshals on the ground to collect fines from people who violate norms and raise awareness about Covid appropriate behaviour.
"This is the first time in the country women marshals have been deployed for Covid-related duties. In Delhi, there are women marshals deployed on buses and other public transport for the safety of women while travelling," Rajbir Singh said.
Bhavani KG (25), one of the 11 marshals hired by BBMP and deployed at a Covid centre in Mahadevapura, is from a village 5 km from Hoskote. A BA graduate, Bhavani has been trained in the National Cadet Corps (NCC). "I applied for this job as I have always wanted to help people. Since my college days, I have been in NCC, so we are taught that 'service is our motto'," she said.
At the Covid care centre, Bhavani collects patient information, examines their symptoms, provides appropriate advice and comfort, and escalates the case to a doctor or nurse based on the patient's condition.
"I start my day at around 7 am and help women patients who come to the centre. I work till 3 pm. I feel proud to help people in these distressing times,” she said.
Another marshal, Jayothi, who is working in Wilson Garden Covid care centre, travels around 10 kilometres everyday from Chickpet to do her duty. "I am proud that I am one of the first batch of women marshals in Bengaluru. We have received proper training from the BBMP to deal with people and help them in the Covid care centre," she said.
Col Rajbir Singh says the marshals have been successful in implementing Covid norms. "Before the pandemic, marshals were asked to track illegal waste dumping and penalise people. Now, they are successfully implementing Covid norms. Women marshals will also take charge to contain the spread of virus in the city," he said.
Col Rajbir Singh said many more women were willing to offer their services. "We are starting to see how women marshals can help the city civic body to curb the spread of virus on a trial basis," he said.
The majority of the men marshals are ex-servicemen or people who have received NCC training. They have been trained to look for violations of Covid norms. Each of them carries a Point of Sale (POS) device to collect fines and issue receipts in the event of a penalty. The marshals are paid Rs 17,000 per month, with an additional Rs 1,500 deducted under other heads.
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