Fund crunch takes toll on dengue drive
There has been an alarming decline in the allocation of funds for preventing these diseases.
Mumbai: The drive against dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and chikungunya, may get crippled in Mira-Bhayandar owing to the allegedly insufficient Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) funds.
There has been an alarming decline in the allocation of funds for preventing these diseases. From an estimated Rs 10 crore, the BJP – led standing committee has trimmed down the allocations to a meagre Rs 3 crore for fumigation and insecticide sprays to destroy mosquito breeding grounds.
By showing doors to 180 insecticide sprayers deployed on a contractual basis, the health department has discontinued the practice of outdoor fogging (spraying) to ward of mosquitoes from April 1 due to lack of funds.
A senior officer attached to the health department said, “Apart from the needed insecticides which are worth Rs 3 crore, an average of Rs 6.5 crore goes towards manpower, transportation and miscellaneous expenses. We had an estimated Rs 10 crore for the project, but the standing committee wants the budget to be within Rs 3 crore. So, we had to discontinue the services.”
Dhruv Kishor Patil said, “It is wrong to say that the service has been stopped due to lack of funds. There have been ample allocations for the purpose. I will direct the officials to resume the drive.”