Rashmi Ranjan

With Dengue spreading its tentacles far and wide across the State, the Opposition parties- Congress and BJP on Thursday lambasted the ruling BJD government and Health Department in the State alleging failure in curbing the spread of the vector-borne diseases.

Addressing a press conference, senior leader of the opposition party in the State, Debasis Patnaik said, “Like in the case of Covid-19, the State government has failed to arrest the spread of Dengue too. Neither the Housing and Urban Development department nor has the Health Department issued any advisory to tackle the present Dengue crisis in the State.”

“It is surprising that there is no special ward for Dengue patients, not even at the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar,” Patnaik added.

The Dengue tally in Bhubaneswar has breached the 400 mark so far. Instead of collecting holding tax, the Urban Development department should rather work on anti-dengue operations, he said.

Similarly, the BJP also organised a press conference over the Dengue crisis and targeted the ruling government for their failure to check the spread of the diseases.

“The measures taken by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation to prevent dengue from spreading is not enough. The situation is very alarming in the State Capital. The government should wake up from deep slumber and initiate necessary steps,” said BJP leader Dillip Mohanty said.

Reacting to the allegations of the Oppositions, State Health Minister Naba Das said, “Dengue is not new. All the CDMOs have been asked to take necessary steps to tackle the present situation.”

However, the Housing and Urban Development Minister Pratap Jena could not be contacted for his reaction over the allegations levelled by Congress.

Notably, the Dengue situation in Bhubaneswar is assuming serious proportions with each passing day. Several localities in Sailashree Vihar and Niladri Vihar areas are among the worst affected.

Earlier yesterday, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has deputed a team to investigate the death of a minor girl who reportedly died due to Dengue.

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