Step up cleanliness efforts, L-G Najeeb Jung tells Delhi govt, local bodies

New Delhi: Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday held a meeting at Raj Niwas to discuss issues related to cleanliness in Delhi, keeping in view the rising cases of chikungunya, dengue, and malaria.

The meeting was attended by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia; Health Minister Satyendra Jain; Chairman, NDMC; all 3 Municipal Commissioners; Secretary (Health and Family Welfare); Divisional Commissioner along with all Deputy Commissioner(s), Revenue.

The Lt. Governor stated that in order to make the city clean, there cannot be any complacency in the Government machinery or in the local bodies. He said the time has come for us to intensify the drive keeping in view the rising cases of Chikungunya, Dengue, and Malaria in the city. The Lt. Governor spoke about the need to synergize efforts of Health Department, Municipal Bodies, and other Government Departments to help tide over the current situation.

The Lt. Governor took stock of the situation and got feedback from senior officers of Delhi Government, NDMC, and MCD. He was apprised by the Divisional Commissioner of the steps taken by the Government to keep the city clean, keeping in view the number of dengue, chikungunya and malaria cases. Following directions have been issued to Deputy Commissioners being the pivot of coordination mechanism at district level:-

1. The District Health Societies headed by the DCs shall be activated. Funds earmarked for IEC activities shall be effectively used. The plan for deployment of Malaria Inspector and Domestic Breeding Checker (DBC) has to be reviewed.

2. Sun Division will be monitoring and coordinating Unit. SDM will ensure regular inspection of different localities with help of Civil Defence Corporations. The Civil Defence Corps. shall provide feedback on the status of cleanliness or any suspected breeding ground for mosquitoes in their locality.

3. District Magistrates shall issue instructions to MCDs to take all necessary steps to check Dengue, Chikungunya, and Malaria and utilize the funds released to Local Bodies for taking preventive measures to check these diseases. Dy Commissioners, MCDs are also advised to ensure adequate fogging of schools and areas under their jurisdiction.

4. The District Magistrates may advise cinema halls under their jurisdiction to run audio-visual IEC clips in cinema halls for prevention of dengue and chikungunya. Mock drills may be conducted in shopping malls and shopping plazas to keep the city clean for prevention of vector-borne diseases.