New Delhi: Gearing up to combat the spread
of vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria in the city,
the MCD is purchasing tonnes of chemicals, bio-larvicides and
other material to be used to kill mosquitoes and prevent their
breeding.
Four proposals in this regard were approved by the MCD
Standing Committee today. The process was held up earlier due
a debate over procurement procedure.
The civic body will purchase of 1,40,000 kgs of
Temephos granules worth Rs 50.08 lakh to prevent breeding in
clean stagnant water in coolers and uncovered overhead tanks,
40 tonnes of malathion technical worth Rs 57.64 lakh used for
fogging operation to kill adult mosquitoes, 5,400 litres of
pyrethrum extract worth Rs 76.43 lakh for spraying to kill
adult mosquitoes by mixing it with kerosene oil and 2,75,000
litres of bio-larvicides worth Rs 27.22 lakh.
Last week, a number of councillors, mostly from the
ruling BJP, objected to the use of government undertaking
Hindustan Latex Ltd as a consultant for the procurement and
argued that the MCD should buy the items itself.
As per the proposals, in all the cases, HLL will fix
the rate of procurement and the supplier agency for one year
and get two per cent as consultancy charge.
Standing Committee Chairman Yogender Chandolia said
the proposals were given a nod keeping in view the fact that
these materials will be needed soon for anti-mosquito
operations in the city. "However, we have told the Health
Department that next time they should do a rethink on the
issue. Why should we pay consultancy fee to HLL when we can
buy the items itself."
Municipal Health Officer N K Yadav said the
consultancy charges have been lowered from 3.5 per cent to 2
per cent after long negotiations. "HLL is a reputed government
undertaking and provides us technical support. There are many
technical aspects and the department needs a consultant to
take the right decision," he said.
Chandolia said the Health Department should take steps
to augment its technical prowess.
Outbreak of vector-borne diseases like dengue has been
witnessed in post-monsoon season in the city for the last
several years. The threat of dengue created a scare before the
Commonwealth Games in October last year too. Over 6,000 cases
and eight deaths due to dengue were reported in Delhi in 2010.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, March 09, 2011, 18:23