Chandigarh Municipal Corporation mulls taking over malaria wing

A worker carries out fogging in Chandigarh. (Express Archives)

In the wake of increasing dengue cases across the region, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation on Monday discussed that the malaria wing be transferred to it from the UT Administration. Councillors said even as the primary health committee provided schedule to the health department for carrying out fogging in different areas as per priority, it wasnt being done.

BJP councillor Davesh Moudgil who is also the Chairman of the Primary Health Committee further said that the administration be written about the transfer of this department to the civic body and the latter was aware where is accumulated water in colonies and village areas found.

“MC is aware of the places where such water can accumulate. Till the time the health department prepares the schedule of where all to carry out fogging as per the information sent by us, people may fall ill,” said Moudgil. Moudgil also said the chief engineer of the UT Administration be informed to get the lids of overhead tanks of government houses checked as most of them were open and become a breeding place for the mosquitoes.

Several times, the civic body has discussed to take over the department of malaria wing but all in vain. It has already been facing trouble in managing the dispensaries and primary education schools, the charge of which it has been taking care of as the municipal corporation has been citing issue of shortage of funds.