TN govt. to launch cleanliness drive to control dengue

Chennai : As part of efforts to control the spread of dengue, Tamil Nadu government will undertake a 15-day cleanliness drive in the state and warned of action against owners whose unclean premises could lead to mass breeding of mosquitoes spreading the disease.

A decision to this effect was taken at a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister K Palaniswami yesterday, where he took stock of the situation amidst opposition criticism over government's handling of the spread of dengue.As per the decision arrived at, the cleanliness drive will cover all parts of the state, with special focus on urban areas, an official release said today.

The drive will focus on cleaning areas which have the possibility of water stagnation.Clearing waste and construction debris was also in the agenda, it said.The aforesaid areas had the possibility of mass breeding of dengue causing mosquitoes, it said.Special teams have to be formed for the cleaning drive and they will send regular reports to the respective district collectors on the action taken, the release said.

A team headed by the collectors will monitor the activities, and conservancy staff and workers covered under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act will be deployed for the clearing work.Action has to be expedited covering educational institutions, government and private premises, areas of construction activities among others, it said.

The government warned of action against owners of unkempt premises, saying they could lead to mass breeding of mosquitoes responsible for spread of dengue.Further, additional doctors and nursing staff will be appointed in hospitals dealing with dengue control, it added.

The government has appointed senior IAS officers for every district to coordinate these activities and they have been asked by the Chief Minister to immediately visit the respective districts for this purpose, it said.

In yesterday's meeting, also attended by senior Tamil Nadu ministers and officials, the Chief Minister was briefed on the various dengue control activities including mosquito eradication efforts, it said.