‘People can prevent mosquito breeding’
Stressing on the importance of the role of schoolchildren and RWAs in prevention of mosquito breeding, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday expressed confidence that the people of Delhi can check dengue and chikungunya just like success of the ‘odd-even’ car scheme.
He said by giving just 10 minutes for an “inspection” to check mosquito breeding by throwing away stagnant water in their houses and localities, schoolchildren, women and resident welfare associations (RWAs) can put an effective check on dengue and chikungunya.
“I believe if two crore Delhiites campaign against mosquito breeding then it could be another example like the success of oddeven scheme against pollution,” he said in a training and media campaign programme organised by the health department to create awareness against vectorborne diseases like dengue, chikungunya, malaria, and swine flu.
Last week, death of a 12-yearold boy due to dengue was reported from Delhi. As per official figures, 950 dengue, 473 malaria, and 339 chikungunya cases have been reported in Delhi.
The government has this year launched an extensive campaign focusing on proactive role of people in preventing mosquito breeding in their houses and neighbourhoods.
Speaking at the event, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said the dengue and chikungunya-causing mosquito has a flight range of 200 metres and called upon people to stop mosquito breeding by throwing away clean, stagnant water lying unattended.
Two short films on role of schoolchildren and RWAs in checking mosquito breeding were shown in the programme.
In the next two-three days, both these films will be available at the schools and RWAs, he said.
“There are 26 lakh schoolchildren in Delhi. If they are encouraged to check mosquito breeding in their homes and neighbourhood, dengue and chikungunya can be brought under control,” he said.
The risk is highest inside offices, malls, indoor auditorium and stadia that use artificial lights through the day and night and have little or no exposure to natural light.
“In these situations, the mosquitoes are unable to follow their natural day-and-night cycle and get confused,” Sunil said, adding that was the reason researchers simulate lighting and temperature conditions when doing experiments with mosquitoes.
The dengue mosquito lies low — it approaches from behind to bite ankles and elbows.
Loose clothes that cover arms and legs and repellents were the best protection, said Dr Srikant Sharma, senior consultant of medicine at Moolchand Medcity.
Delhi reported close to 300 dengue cases in the week ending August 26, taking the 2017 count to 945, with experts predicting rising malaria cases as well.
Dengue used to be a bigger threat in the Capital and its neighbourhood till last year the Capital saw its first chikungunya outbreak, with 7,760 cases. This year, Delhi has already reported 339 cases so far.
India has confirmed 36, 635 cases and 58 dengue deaths till August 20, the last date till for which data is available from all states.
Singh was born in the Gurusar Mundia village of the district.
A substantial section of the district’s population worshipped the Dera Sacha Sauda chief earlier, but seems to have grown disillusioned with him following his rape conviction.
“We discovered more such photos in other areas of the city and they had to be fished out of the drains in order to start the water supply. Later, we dumped them at the garbage depot,” said Rathore. He added that the choked drain had blocked the water flow in a large area.
Singh’s conviction triggered large scale violence across Punjab and Haryana and resulted in the death of 38 people.
Sriganganagar too saw mild violence and the police enforced section 144 to keep things under control.
Protestors in the district had torched a government vehicle and damaged other buildings before being arrested by the police.
Among the names doing the rounds in BJP circles as likely contenders for ministerial posts were Vinay Sahasrabuddhe from Maharashtra, former Mumbai police commissioner Satypal Singh, Harish Dwivedi from Uttar Pradesh, Prahlad Joshi, Suresh Angadi and Shobha Karandlaje from Karnataka, Prabhat Jha, Rakesh Singh and Prahlad Patel from Madhya Pradesh, Ashwini Choubey from Bihar and Mahesh Giri from Delhi.
BJP sources said that some ministers with independent charges, including Piyush Goyal, Manoj Sinha, and Dharmendra Pradhan, could be in contention for promotion as Cabinet ministers.
Two JD(U) leaders, RCP Singh and Santosh Kumar, are tipped to be the party’s nominees for ministerial positions at the Centre.
AIADMK leader Thambidurai met Amit Shah on Friday evening, but sources in the Tamil party said there was no decision on joining the NDA yet.
The ministers who have already resigned include two cabinet ministers—Kalraj Mishra and Uma Bharti —and five ministers of state-- Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who held independent charge of skill development ministry, Sanjeev Balyan, Faggan Singh Kulaste, Mahendra Nath Pandey, and Giriraj Singh.
Water resources and Ganga rejuvenation minister Uma Bharti tweeted on Friday that she would not react to reports about her resignation and only BJP chief Amit Shah or someone authorised by him could comment on it.
Incidentally, a day after resigning, Bharti drove to Vrindavan on Thursday where top BJP and RSS leaders are gathered for a coordination meeting.
Some important portfolios, held as additional charges by ministers, are likely to be re-allocated. Finance minister Arun Jaitley, for instance, holds the additional charge of defence ministry. Asked about this dual charge at a function on Thursday evening, Jaitley said, “At least, I hope, not very long.”
Suresh Prabhu offered to quit as railway minister after a train accident last week. The PM has asked him to “wait”. There is an old proposal to integrate infrastructure ministries including road transport & highways, shipping and the railways.
The PM has not given any indication whether the proposal is back on his table, but BJP sources did not rule out its possibility.
The other ministries given to four ministers as additional charge are information and broadcasting, environment and forests, and urban development and housing.
There was speculation in the ruling party circles about the likelihood of Smriti Irani retaining I&B ministry but HT could not independently confirm it.
The Congress said it was the Prime Minister’s prerogative to shuffle and reshuffle his council of ministers. “I don’t see much talent that he has. He may appoint anyone and remove anyone and change any portfolios (but) that will make zero difference because this is the Prime Minister who believes in complete concentration of power,” senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said.
“We have a cabinet form of government, but is it functioning like a cabinet form? Key ministries for more than three years are without a cabinet minister which has never happened. Why? So, that all policy papers which originate from the cabinet minister’s signature, are prepared in the PMO. This is what he was doing as the chief minister of Gujarat. That is exactly what he is doing now to India.”