The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slammed the Delhi Government and civic bodies over the latest chikungunya and dengue outbreak in the national Capital.
As Delhi reels under a severe dengue and chikungunya epidemic, it has called the AAP Government’s response “shameful and shocking”. Expressing its displeasure over the handling of the vector diseases, the NGT said, “The ground reality is horrible. Don’t show us the fabricated registers.” Slamming over the handling of the vector diseases, the NGT said, “Why don’t the MCD, DDA, Delhi Government and NDMC officials sit together and make an action planIJ”
The NGT asked NDMC, “What were you doing for the last two monthsIJ looks like you have no action plan. Everyone in Delhi is getting sick. Can’t turn a blind eye. Why don’t all the MCD/DDA/Delhi Govt/NDMC sit together on the issue of these diseases and make an action plan.”
The NDMC said fumigation and breeding checks at houses are underway. It has asked concerned officials to come to NGT next Wednesday to take stock of administrative steps taken to tackle chikungunya/dengue.
The NGT has directed the principal Committee (to be formed to tackle the menace of chikungunya/dengue in Delhi) to submit its report within 15 days.
Five deaths from chikungunya complications were reported till yesterday at Apollo Hospital here, most of the victims were aged 80 or above. AIIMS laboratories have tested 1,443 chikungunya blood test samples positive till September 13. At the Centre-run Ram Manohar lohia Hospital, 425 chikungunya cases have been reported this season while 112 have been diagnosed with dengue. At Safdarjung Hospital, also a Centre-run, 536 chikungunya cases and 342 dengue cases have been confirmed this season.
Delhi has reported over 30 dengue and chikungunya deaths in the last two months while nearly 3,000 people are reported to be sick and admitted in various city hospitals.