leaving no stone unturned to check the spread of dengue, the Punjab Government has decided to take strict action, including imposing fine, on the Government departments where dengue larvae would be found.
The Government’s Health and Family Welfare Department, considering the seriousness of the deadly dengue disease, has issued fresh instructions to all the departments regarding dengue prevention.
Moreover, the State Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra has also convened an inter-departmental meeting of 11 State Government departments — Health, local Government, Education, Public Works Department, among others — on Monday to review the preparedness of these departments to prevent and combat dengue in the State.
The administrative secretaries of the concerned departments have been invited for this meeting, asking them to come prepared with their action plans for prevention and control of dengue and chikungunya.
As per the new orders, in case dengue mosquito or mosquito larva was found in any of the State Government's office, the head of that department will have to shell out a fine of Rs 500 from his
own pocket.
No less than 1300 cases of dengue were recorded the previous year, and the Health Department has decided to provide relief to the people by checking it from spreading.
Besides warning, all government departments have also been urged to ensure that there is no stagnant water around their offices. Cleaning of coolers, storage bins, etc in the offices have been advised from time to time.
A senior official told The Pioneer that anti-larva teams have been set up to check whether the instructions are being followed by the departments. “The teams will visit Government offices for two days a week to conduct checking,” added the official.
“In case, any mosquito or larva was found in any of the Government department, the Municipal Corporation’s sanitary inspector will be present at the time of challaning the head of the department, added the official.
Other than the Government officials, if any person is found responsible for not taking adequate measures in private institutions and residential areas, they will also have to pay Rs 500 fine.
Only a day before, the State Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra had issued advisory to as many as 11 Government departments, having role in checking the widespread of dengue, to brace up their activities well in advance to combat the potential dengue outbreak in the rainy season.