The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slammed the municipal agencies of Delhi for not implementing strong measures to control mosquito-bred diseases like chikungunya and dengue. The tribunal today asked the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) as to what it was doing for the last two months that people are getting sick now. “What were you doing for 2 months? Looks like you have no action plan. Everyone in Delhi is getting sick. Can’t turn a blind eye,” NGT asked NDMC.
The NGT response came when NDMC told the tribunal that it was carrying out fumigation and breeding checks in houses of the city. The tribunal has shown complete displeasure with the role of municipal bodies, saying the “ground reality is horrible”. The NGT warned the municipal bodies against showing fabricated registers. “Don’t show us the fabricated registers,” it said.
To sort out the issue, the NGT said, “Why don’t the MCD, DDA, Delhi government and NDMC sit together on the issue of these diseases and make an action plan.” The NGT has ordered the formation of a principal committee to tackle the dengue and chikungunya menace in the national Capital. Delhi government’s chief secretary, MCD commissioners, DDA vice-chairman, NDMC representatives and Director General Health Services (Delhi) are to be part of that committee.
The NGT also ordered the formation of a district level committee to be headed by deputy commissioner, MCD zone to check all preventive measures being taken by concerned officials on ground. As per the order, concerned officials of the municipal bodies have to appear in the NGT next Wednesday to take stock of the steps taken by the administration to tackle the diseases.
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Meanwhile, the Supreme Court today also decided to hear a plea filed by a doctor seeking proper steps to be taken by the government to stop the spread of diseases like chikungunya, dengue and malaria.
On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court had warned all hospitals in the national capital not to deny admission to dengue and chikungunya patients and asked the Centre and AAP government to engage retired personnel, if needed, to increase the strength of doctors and paramedics to meet exigencies.
At least 34 people have died due to chikungunya and dengue which have affected close to 4,000 people in the national capital this year. Adding to the woes of the city, six people were also reported dead because of malaria on Tuesday.
