Monsoon-ready: Govt releases Rs 109 cr to check dengue, chikungunya spread

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 17

The Urban Development Department on the directions of the Delhi Government today released Rs 109 crore to three municipal corporation so that the civic bodies are prepared to deal with vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and malaria in the ongoing monsoon.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal directed the department that it should be ensured that funds don’t be an excuse for lack of preparation for the prevention of diseases in the Capital.

A government statement said the funds were released following the directions of the Chief Minister to the Urban Development Department.

The North Municipal Corporation Department got Rs 57.15 crore, East Municipal Corporation Department Rs 28.4 crore and the South Municipal Corporation Department received Rs 23.57 crore.

Kejriwal said, “The Delhi Government is fully committed for the prevention of vector-borne diseases and will not allow funds to become a hindrance in ensuring that the residents of Delhi do not suffer due to any excuse in taking steps for the prevention of these diseases, which cause a panic in society.”

 Kejriwal directed the department to tell the BJP-led three municipal corporations — south, north and east — that there should be no excuse in dealing with dengue and chikungunya in their area.

The Chief Minister directed the department to take all necessary steps to ensure proper utilisation of funds so that preventive steps, like house-to-house visits of corporation department staff to check spread of mosquitoes, were carried out.

Kejriwal directed the civic bodies that maintenance of public health is their mandatory function as defined in the Delhi Municipal Corporations Act.

The government under the education head also released an amount of Rs 12.5 crore to the North Municipal Corporation Department, Rs 22.5 crore to East Municipal Corporation Department and Rs 11.75 crore to the South Municipal Corporation Department, for primary education to the civic bodies.

Govt braces for mosquito season

The Delhi Government is fully committed for the prevention of vector-borne diseases and will not allow funds to become a hindrance in ensuring that the residents of the Capital do not suffer due to any excuse in the prevention of spread of these diseases. Maintenance of public health in the region is our main goal. — Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister