Mandya’s Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Kumar, declared on Tuesday that strict penalties would be enforced against anyone failing to cooperate with ongoing dengue control initiatives across the district.
During a crucial district-level meeting, organized collaboratively by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat, and the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Kumar directed officials to conduct comprehensive inspections. These checks are set to cover a wide range of locations, including residential properties, commercial establishments, school and college campuses, hotels, construction sites, and vacant plots.
Property owners will receive official notices if inspectors discover stagnant water, known breeding grounds for dengue-carrying mosquitoes, on their premises. Failure to address these issues within a specified timeframe will result in fines. Residential properties in urban areas could face penalties of ₹800, while rural homes will be fined ₹400. For commercial establishments and offices, the fines are set at ₹2,000 in urban areas and ₹1,000 in rural areas. Construction sites will incur the highest penalties: ₹4,000 in urban areas and ₹2,000 in rural areas.
Dr. Kumar further specified that an additional 50% daily penalty would be levied if the initial fine is not paid promptly.
Addressing the current health situation, Dr. Kumar reported 103 dengue cases and 11 chikungunya cases in the district so far. He particularly highlighted the increased vulnerability of migrant workers, noting that over 25,000 have arrived for sugarcane harvesting. Factories employing these workers have been explicitly instructed to provide essential amenities, including safe drinking water, proper sanitation, and mosquito nets, to safeguard their health.
In response, Health Department officials were directed to inspect areas where migrant laborers reside and to proactively file suo motu cases against factories that neglect to provide these fundamental facilities.
The Deputy Commissioner underscored the critical importance of implementing proactive preventive measures to curb the spread of infectious diseases like dengue and called for the organization of special awareness campaigns to sensitize the public effectively.
The meeting saw the attendance of several key officials, including Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K.R. Nandini, District Health and Family Welfare Officer K. Mohan, Surveillance Officer Kumar, D.V.B.D.C Officer Kantaraju, RCH Officer K.P. Ashwath, District Leprosy Eradication Officer Somasekhar, and District Family Welfare Officer Bettaswamy.