Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Aug 27: The general body meeting of Mangalore City Corporation was held at the newly renovated Mangala hall on Monday August 27.
Initial discussions highlighted the malaria and dengue diseases in city. Former Mayor Shankar Bhat said that though 136 dengue cases were reported out of which one death has occurred, and out of 46 rat fever cases, two have been reported dead, no health officer has been appointed. He urged the Mayor to stress on the matter.
Within the MCC limit itself 5208 malaria cases were reported and after including suburban areas, the number goes to 7000, he said.
Opposition leader Deepak Poojary said that garbage is seen leaking on the roads due to hole in the garbage containers. MCC Commissioner K Harish Kumar said that 60 containers will be procured for which an order has been sent.
Corporator Sudhir said that sprayers to eradicate epidemic diseases are not coming recently. A health officer answered that due to rain the spraying has been stopped temporarily. Corporator Naveen D’Souza complained that door to door collection of wastes is not taking place in MCC limit.
MCC Commissioner K Harish Kumar answered that 42 health inspectors have been recruited in rural areas and added in all 72 health inspectors have been visiting door to door in all the wards to prevent malaria and other diseases. He pointed out 60 % of the malaria cases are reported in construction sites, 30 % in hotels and 10 % in residences because no preventive measures taken place. He informed that 70 construction sites have been raided and 3 licenses have been cancelled. Under the leadership of each corporator, NSS students have been visiting residences to create awareness on malaria and other epidemic diseases, he said.
Corporator Harinath urged that 50 acre land should be kept as a reserve and littering garbage in Pacchanady should be prevented to avoid problems faced by the locals.
Former Mayor Shashidhar Hegde urged that expert doctor should be appointed for the malaria special unit and a retired health officer could be appointed for the post, he suggested. Interestingly Dr Manjaiah Shetty was appointed unopposed by the council members. Hegde also urged that pest control spraying should be continued at least where there is stagnant water.
Corporator Mariam Thomas said that awareness on Malaria should be created in schools and colleges. She enquired about the Rs 25 lac that CREDAI has given to MCC for controlling malaria and if it has been utilized properly.
Corporator Nagendra Kumar alleged that builders are dumping mud into the paddy field and erecting residential apartments have caused artificial floods in Jeppina Mogeru area and Corporator Sudhir added natural streams have been encroached in Pumpwell areas.
Commissioner Harish Kumar said that survey of streams on government owned land will be conducted to evict any such encroachments. Commissioner said that blaming MCC responsible for flood like chaotic situation is not right and added that NH projects, Railway department and other Mega projects were also responsible.
For the homeless people, Commissioner said under Ashryaya project G+3 apartments will be constructed for which the proposal has been sent to the government.
Daijiworld Initiative :
Mangalore: Malaria Menace - Public Equally Responsible?