Questions over dengue plans of civic body

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 15

Questions are being raised over the MC’s preparedness for prevention of dengue in the city. When the MC was requested to provide a copy of its plan for dengue prevention under the RTI Act, no reply was given to the applicant even after the passage of one month.

Arvind Sharma of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar has blamed the civic body for not preparing any concrete plan for prevention of dengue in the city. Sharma said: “I had suffered from dengue and I wanted to know what plan has been prepared by the MC for its prevention this year. Every year, a large number of cases are reported. I had sought information about dengue deaths too. However, incomplete information has been provided to me. But, no information about any MC plan for prevention of dengue has been given to me by the MC.

“As the MC maintains a death register and issues death certificates, I had sought information about dengue deaths since 2016-17 as per the MC record. Responding to my RTI application, the MC office of Local Registrar (Birth and Death) has informed me that the hospitals generally mention words CRA, CA, BD or accident as death reason. The office further informs that there is no clear information with regard to dengue in the registration of deaths,” said Sharma.

Sharma said: “No awareness on dengue is being created in parts of the city. Even fogging is not being carried out properly in many areas.”

A resident of Giaspura and representative of Yadav Ahir Mahasabha, RK Yadav, said: “Water remains accumulated at a number of locations in Giaspura areas. Fogging was last carried out in our area around a month ago. Fogging should be done at least once every week. The departments concerned should create awareness on prevention of dengue, especially in areas and slums with a sizable population of labourers.”

Denying the allegations, Dr Vipul Malthorta, MC health officer, said: “Information related to dengue deaths is available with the Civil Surgeon’s Office, not with the Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana. The MC has made its proper plan and schedule to conduct timely fogging in all wards. Besides, our staff members are visiting houses to create awareness among people about prevention of dengue across the city.”

11 dengue cases reported this season

Amid the Covid pandemic, as many as 11 dengue cases have been reported recently, according to information collected from the Health Department. The Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajesh Bagga, said: “We are planning to conduct a workshop on dengue with other departments concerned soon.”