HC blames unhygienic,uncooperative residents for spurt in dengue cases

Advocate Gaurav Bansal had filed a plea alleging that the civic agencies and the government had failed to effectively implement the plan of action prepared by a government-appointed committee to prevent dengue.

“Because of the rise in the number of dengue cases,there is an acute shortage of beds in most hospitals in the city,” the plea argued,and sought direction for authorities to provide each dengue patient a bed and to bear the cost of treatment of dengue patients.

“Direct the respondents (civic agencies and the health ministry) to provide NS-1 Antigen ELISA test kits to all private hospitals in NCR,” the petition had said.

The court,however,dismissed the plea after noting that there was no reason to supersede the committee already constituted by the government.

“We were satisfied that with the funds and manpower available,authorities are taking all steps for eradication of vector-borne diseases. Realising the ecological damage by use of chemicals such as DDT,bio-larvicide,which is eco friendly,is being used,” the court said.

“Major blame” for the recurrence of the disease “is on citizens of Delhi who are most uncooperative with the municipal authorities in maintaining hygiene”,the court observed. The bench also held that the issue was being looked into by experts. It said neither the petitioner nor the court were experts,and therefore had “no constructive suggestions to offer” to deal with the problem.