New Delhi: Ahead of the Commonwealth Games,
the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the
Delhi government to take "appropriate" action to control the
spread of dengue in the capital and submit an action taken
report within four weeks.
The Commission issued a notice in this regard to the
Delhi chief secretary on Monday, taking cognisance of a
complaint alleging that dengue is gradually taking shape of
an "epidemic" in the city due to "inaction" on the part of
the NCT government.
Complainant Radhakant Tripathy, a rights activist and
lawyer, also alleged that instead of taking precautions and
preventive measures, the Delhi government "is busy in digging
various sites in the capital for CWG, which has opened up
floodgates for waterlogging and mosquito breeding".
Tripathy also claimed that the city does not have
adequate hospitals for the treatment of dengue.
"The hospitals of repute are safe enough for breeding of
mosquitoes, not for treatments," he charged, pointing out that
a Public Health Committee recently found mosquito breeding in
14.5 per cent locations on the AIIMS premises including the
hospital`s staff quarters.
NDMC too identified 11 mosquito breeding points at AIIMS
premises and blamed the hospital administration for it, he
added.
"Let a copy of the complaint be transmitted to the Chief
Secretary of NCT of Delhi for such action as deemed
appropriate," NHRC chairperson Justice KG Balakrishnan
directed his office after taking cognisance of the complaint.
"Submit an action taken report within four weeks," he
held in the notice issued to the chief secretary.
The complainant submitted in his petition that
surrounded by the river Yamuna on three sides, the CWG village
is the most susceptible area for the spread of Dengue.
At CWG village site, mosquito breeding has become
rampant with overflowing of Yamuna and "unplanned"
construction, he charged.
"In fact, an MCD survey map of dengue hotspot has found
the CWG village as the most vulnerable and perfect breeding
ground for mosquitoes," he said.
The vector-borne disease has claimed five lives in the
capital this year and affected over 2,500 persons.
"...situation has not only threatened the life of common
people but also sports persons and foreign tourists who will
be coming here to be part of the Commonwealth Games," Tripathy
claimed seeking NHRC to intervene and take action.
PTI
