CHENNAI:
The Tamil Nadu government is working on a proposal to impose fines up to 50,000 on
people who don't clean their water tanks or have puddles that breed mosquitoes.
After nearly 73 years, the state is planning to bring amendments to the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, which will empower civic bodies to monitor, inspect and fine people for allowing mosquitoes to breed in their homes and offices.
Though states like Maharashtra, Delhi and Kerala impose hefty fines for people who don't maintain clean premises, laws in Tamil Nadu had remained weak and unimplemented. When the health minister moves the demand for grants for his department on April 10, he is likely to push for amendments to the Act, senior officials said.
"We have not yet decided on imprisonment for repeat offenders, but we want to increase the fines. Now no fines are collected because the Act prescribes 2 to 10," said director of public health Dr R T Porkai Pandian. In rare cases, cities like Chennai have imposed fines of up to 1,000.
Stagnant water in sumps, water tanks and gardens are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. According to figures from the country's National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, India records around 1,000 deaths every year due to malaria. The World Health Organisationputs the number much higher, at 15,000. Nearly 60% of malaria cases in Tamil Nadu are reported from Chennai. There is also an increase in the number of dengue and chikunguniya cases across the state in the last five years. Though civic bodies like Chennai Corporation deny that there have been deaths, doctors say they have been seeing deaths due to dengue.
Health authorities say they have tried options, including repellents and a species of fish to kill larvae, besides taking up fogging operations. They blame the spread of the disease on people's carelessness in not properly cleaning their properties and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. "We have been seeing mosquito-borne diseases throughout the year. Most of these diseases are caused due to breeding in fresh water in and around the house. The majority of mosquito breeding occurs in as little as 5mm of water - such as in plant pots or coconut shells. If we don't stop this, we won't be able to prevent diseases," said Dr Pandian.
Senior healthcare experts are sceptical about the government's plan. "There are enough powers vested with the civic authorities even now, but prevention work does not happen. Despite a ban we have not been able to stop smoking and spitting in public places. Many laws remain just on paper," said a general physician, who refused to be named.
Officials are poring over legislations from other states to define and describe how to prevent vector breeding and control pests and rodents at homes, hotels, public places and industries. Modifications to the rules will soon make it mandatory for people to take vector-control certificates before getting building approval. "We will ask people to pay a small fee to the civic bodies to under take vector control measures in all construction sites," said a senior official.
Government is also planning amendments to the public health code that will give it powers to screen passengers at airports and sea ports, and impose health safety measure at congregations.
After nearly 73 years, the state is planning to bring amendments to the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, which will empower civic bodies to monitor, inspect and fine people for allowing mosquitoes to breed in their homes and offices.
Though states like Maharashtra, Delhi and Kerala impose hefty fines for people who don't maintain clean premises, laws in Tamil Nadu had remained weak and unimplemented. When the health minister moves the demand for grants for his department on April 10, he is likely to push for amendments to the Act, senior officials said.
"We have not yet decided on imprisonment for repeat offenders, but we want to increase the fines. Now no fines are collected because the Act prescribes 2 to 10," said director of public health Dr R T Porkai Pandian. In rare cases, cities like Chennai have imposed fines of up to 1,000.
Stagnant water in sumps, water tanks and gardens are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. According to figures from the country's National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, India records around 1,000 deaths every year due to malaria. The World Health Organisationputs the number much higher, at 15,000. Nearly 60% of malaria cases in Tamil Nadu are reported from Chennai. There is also an increase in the number of dengue and chikunguniya cases across the state in the last five years. Though civic bodies like Chennai Corporation deny that there have been deaths, doctors say they have been seeing deaths due to dengue.
Health authorities say they have tried options, including repellents and a species of fish to kill larvae, besides taking up fogging operations. They blame the spread of the disease on people's carelessness in not properly cleaning their properties and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. "We have been seeing mosquito-borne diseases throughout the year. Most of these diseases are caused due to breeding in fresh water in and around the house. The majority of mosquito breeding occurs in as little as 5mm of water - such as in plant pots or coconut shells. If we don't stop this, we won't be able to prevent diseases," said Dr Pandian.
Senior healthcare experts are sceptical about the government's plan. "There are enough powers vested with the civic authorities even now, but prevention work does not happen. Despite a ban we have not been able to stop smoking and spitting in public places. Many laws remain just on paper," said a general physician, who refused to be named.
Officials are poring over legislations from other states to define and describe how to prevent vector breeding and control pests and rodents at homes, hotels, public places and industries. Modifications to the rules will soon make it mandatory for people to take vector-control certificates before getting building approval. "We will ask people to pay a small fee to the civic bodies to under take vector control measures in all construction sites," said a senior official.
Government is also planning amendments to the public health code that will give it powers to screen passengers at airports and sea ports, and impose health safety measure at congregations.
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