MCD fines JNU for breeding mosquitoes

New Delhi: It's the season when academics take precedence, new chapters begin and lessons are learnt. But it seems some educational institutions have failed to do the latter.  Because, with the onset of monsoons have arrived vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue etc.

On Monday, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) found various educational institutions like Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), IIT Delhi and National Institute of Health and Family Welfare of having mosquito breeding grounds. According to the report prepared by the MCD health department, the civic agency has fined JNU as they found mosquito breeding in three different areas. Similarly, it has issued notices to Delhi University as well.

Life lost
With six new cases reported over the past one week, the total number of dengue cases in the Capital this season has reached 11. The first dengue death in the city was notified by the MCD on Saturday. Officials said a 55-year-old man, who tested positive for the mosquito-borne disease and was admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, died on July 9.

"Educational institutes need to be more cautious as a large number of students come there every day. Such institutes are more prone to such diseases like dengue and malaria. We have issued notices to them to take care of the respective areas," said Dr VK Monga, chairman, public relief and health committee, MCD.

Driven
With the situation as it is now, MCD has said it will launch a special drive from next week. Strict action will be taken against institutions or owners of buildings where mosquito breeding is found. The civic agency has issued notices to the Department of Economics, Conventional Hall and VKRV Rao hostel at Delhi University. According to figures from the MCD health department, they have visited 1,43,85,579 houses for domestic breeding checking, out of which, 23,593 houses were found to have mosquito breeding. MCD has issued legal notices to 30,693 and 1,466 prosecutions have been launched till date.

"On June 25, we found mosquito breeding in the campus and from that day we have started warning them. Lastly, we have to fine them as no action was taken by them," added Dr Monga. Meanwhile, Delhi University proctor HP Singh said "I am not aware of the situation as the department falls under the jurisdiction of the university engineer. He will be able to comment on the exact situation."

Precaution
"There have been no cases of dengue till now though a few students had fallen ill of the disease last year. We do take appropriate measures on a routine basis on campus to check mosquito breeding," said Sucheta De, general secretary, All India Students Association (AISA) at JNU. On the other hand, VK Jain, Dean, School of Environmental Science (SES) and Registrar were unavailable for comment.

Stay safe
KS Mehra, Commissioner, MCD on Monday advised all the citizens to take following preventive measures to curb mosquito breeding:

• All coolers should be cleaned once a week and mopped dry before refilling.
• Temephos granules available free of cost at all malaria offices/circles of MCD should be put in all coolers that cannot be emptied.
• Overhead tanks, 'haudies' and other water containers should be kept covered with properly fitting lid.
• Stagnant water should not be allowed to be accumulated inside or around   work place/office premises.
• Empty containers, drums, pots and old tyres etc. should not be left in the open pending disposal.
• Disposable plastic/paper cups, glasses and other articles should be disposed off in dustbins regularly.

Past figures
Last year, the civic agency had issued 33,271 legal notices. The areas prosecuted by the health department include many schools, government offices and, hospitals and dispensaries all over the city. Areas affected this year Central Cross Checking Teams  of MCD, NIMR and National Vector Borne Disease Control Program have reported high Aedes mosquito breeding indices at IIT Campus, NIHFW, JNU Campus, Police Stations, offices and educational institutions & localities namely Netaji Nagar, Prithviraj Road, Kusumpur Pahari huts, Pratap Vihar Phase-II, Nithari Village, JJ Colony Uttam Nagar, Tulsi Ram colony, Nangal Raya, Indra Park, Mangolpuri Phase-I, Sadar Bazar Delhi Cantt, Transport Authority Sheikh Sarai, Shaheen Bagh, E-block Prashant Vihar etc.