The Times of India              14.10.2010

'Hand-held fogging machines for 75 wards'

LUDHIANA: Facing much criticism due to epidemic-like outbreak of dengue in the residential colonies here in the absence of regular fogging, the municipal corporation authorities are now mulling over the idea to purchase hand-help fogging machines for 75 wards. These would be allotted to area councillors who would ensure the spray of medicines in their respective localities.

Increase in dengue cases remained a major issue in the house meeting, during which the councillors of affected areas alleged that MC's health branch did not conduct fogging in their areas. The councillors informed the house that though MC had provided small fogging pumps to them in August, the authorities did not provide them manpower. Moreover, the officials also did not provide the medicine to be sprayed, they alleged.

Answering the questions raised, assistant commissioner AS Sekhon said they had spent Rs 11.47 crore to purchase 2,500 kg medicine and conducted fogging in various areas. The MC is equipped with 20 fogging machines, out of which 17 are operational. These are being sent to localities based on ward schedules, he added.

Municipal corporation commissioner AK Sinha said hand-held machines would be purchased for the 75 wards so that fogging could be conducted on a regular basis. It would be the respective ward councillor's responsibility to conduct fogging regularly in their wards, while MC would provide medicines and manpower, he added.

Sources said the civic body came under scanner following the statement of health minister Lakshmi Kanta Chawla that MC alone was responsible for outbreak of dengue and its related many deaths. More than 1,800 dengue cases along with eight deaths were reported till date.