TV
Congress leaders staged a protest on Tuesday near Badambadi Police Station in Cuttack, over rising mosquito menace in the city. They also lodged an FIR against Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) Commissioner and Health Officer alleging the CMC’s failure to tackle the situation.
According to sources, utilising mosquito nets, they aimed to express their dissatisfaction with what they allege to be the CMC's inadequate mosquito control efforts.
Also Read: Mosquito menace grips Berhampur city; residents allege civic apathy
Agitating Congress functionaries and workers claimed that essential measures such as the spraying of mosquito larvicidal oil in the city’s drainage system have not been conducted and that fogging operations exist only in pen and paper.
These grievances have led the Congress to lodge an FIR against the CMC Commissioner and Health Officer, holding them responsible for the exacerbation of the city's mosquito problem due to insufficient municipal action.
In response, the CMC has assured residents that efforts to tackle the mosquito issue are currently underway.
“Due to an increased concentration of mosquito population, it has become very difficult to stay inside the houses even during the day hours. CMC has failed in addressing the mosquito menace in Cuttack City, including health and sanitation,” Congress district unit spokesperson Manas Kumar Parida said to media persons.
“Heaps of garbage are seen almost everywhere in the city and drains are not being cleaned. Mosquito larvicidal oil is of very poor quality,” the local Congress leader alleged.
Must Read: Climate change responsible for 19 pc of rising dengue cases, finds Study
“Holding the CMC officials responsible for the neglect, we lodged an FIR under Section 271 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS),” local Congress leader Parida asserted.
According to a health official from the Corporation, mosquito oil is being sprayed twice a day across various wards, taking into consideration the density of mosquito populations in each locality. He also revealed plans to utilise drone technology for broader coverage in the areas that are difficult to access.
