Mitali Palnitkar
Published On: February 05, 2022 at 22:50 IST
Delhi High Court had called for a meeting of all the concerned Stakeholders and Departments to finalize a common protocol to curb the spread of vector borne diseases in Delhi.
The Bench comprised of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh. It stated that the responsible Officers of the concerned Departments would be present in the meeting.
The Bench had taken the Suo Moto Cognizance of the menace of mosquito infection in the city which results in vector borne diseases like Malaria, Chikungunya and Dengue. It directed the local bodies in the city including three Municipal Corporations to constitute task forces for monitoring and controlling the situation.
Earlier, as per the directions of the Court to examine and identify steps for incorporating a common protocol, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) had filed a common status report cum Compliance Affidavit in the Court.
Advocate Divya Prakash Pande appearing for NDMC stated that the role of other bodies in the city besides the local bodies and departments was also discussed. He further added that a protocol had been evolved assigning duties and responsibilities to various organizations.
Advocate Satyakam stated that the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Irrigation department had also been assigned certain roles in the drafted protocol, though they were not present in the meeting.
He added that the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme which is under the Director General of Health Services of Central Government would also play a role in providing guidance.
The Court directed,
“Keeping in view the aforesaid, it would be advisable that another meeting is called by the nodal officer with participation of all departments and agencies to whom roles have been or maybe assigned in the matter of control of vector borne diseases in the NCT of Delhi.”
It directed the Nodal Officer to issue Notices to the concerned Departments, they shall respond to the Notices and ensure that their Officers would be present in the meeting.
The Court also stated,
“We direct the Irrigation department of the State of Uttar Pradesh to ensure that a senior responsible representative of the said department also attends the meeting.”
The Court listed the matter for further Hearing on February 25 while stating, “Once the meeting is held, let the draft protocol which has been finalized be placed on record before the next date.”