After getting knocked on the knuckles from High Court and a warning that President’s rule could be imposed in UP if people die of dengue, the UP government has declared dengue, chikangunia and other vetcor-borne diseases as epidemic.
The state government, after an approval from the cabinet, issued a notification in this regard. “The Court will be informed accordingly,” a senior official said.
Earlier, the lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court directed the UP government to declare dengue and other similar diseases as epidemic in the state. The state government had admitted to more than 120 deaths due to dengue in lucknow after the HC took a strong stand against the government and even threatened to recommend President’s rule in UP.
The official said that as per notification, the government has approved the Epidemic Diseases Act -1987 and brought diseases like dengue, chikangunia, malaria, kalajar and other infectious diseases under Epidemic Regulation Act 2016.
A separate notification will be issued by the districts. Controlling officers will be appointed to monitor the control of diseases and take preventive measures.
The offenders violating the norms would be punished under section 188 of the IPC. Besides, a mobile court will be set up to punish the offenders on the spot.
On Thursday evening, Chief Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar held a held a meeting and ordered regular fogging in the affected areas. He declared that a separate budget would be allocated from next fiscal to control diseases like dengue.