The Telangana High Court expressed its strongest disappointment over continuing dengue deaths in Hyderabad city. It asked Chief Secretary SK Joshi why their preventive steps are not yielding good results. The court asked whether IAS officers are reading newspapers to see reports on people’s problems. Every page in ever newspaper in Hyderabad is carrying reports on dengue fevers and mosquito menace.
The HC said that if the situation continues like this, the government would have to pay Rs. 50 lakh ex gratia for every dengue victim. The officials would also be made to pay compensation from their pockets. The judges wondered why dengue cases are increasing when officials talk about preventive steps taken as per a 30-day plan.
The court observed that mosquito menace is high in 427 locations. The Musi river surroundings are highly vulnerable. Mosquito problem is also there in High Court itself. Where are preventive measures? The court said that most Capital Cities come up amidst river streams. It is so even in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The officials should realise this and make genuine efforts to solve the problem.
