The massive awareness campaign against mosquito-borne diseases launched by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has evoked an overwhelming response from public. Many people have said they were not even aware of that mosquito breeding can also be done in fresh water but now they are aware of it due to the campaign launched by the Government.

The micro-blogging website was also abuzz with posts of people inspecting their houses for water stagnation. However, municipal corporations the sole agency to spread awareness to contain the vector borne diseases seem to have failed in creating awareness and checking water stagnation in and around buildings which usually become breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Rahul Gupta, a resident of Model Town said that this is welcome scheme. “I have now got an idea that never came into my mind. I will keep checking my home every Sunday and it is the best way to avoid mosquito breeding,” he said.

“I have never seen anyone from North MCD in this area. So instead of waiting for ‘Dengue Breeding Checkers’ to come and inspect your homes, it is more easy to get it done by ourselves by devoting 10 minutes for the purpose. I came to know that the mosquitoes which cause dengue, malaria and chikungunya like diseases breeds in fresh water that accumulate in our houses. I love the idea of the AAP government to cheack water stagnation by sparing 10 minutes,” said Malini Rawat, a resident of Outram Lane in north Delhi. 

“Sunday dengue check done. It actually took just 7mins. Cleared all still water. Our neighbours can also relax now:). Thank u @ArvindKejriwal for this. Though I stay in Noida, this should be done all across the country #10Hafte10Baje10Minute #HarRavivarDengueParWar,” tweeted Mirchi Sayema.

Another tweeter user Suman said “True..I also stay in Ghaziabad but I followed the campaign. #10Hafte10Baje10Minute This campaign is very useful to all of us. Everybody should follow and cooperate this. Thanks to Mr. .@ArvindKejriwal to aware the people about this. #DengueBhagao,”

“This is very good ...hope many who have not gone to their home’s terrace for long would visit today and do the same,” Vinod Vaeshney tweeted.

A total of 75 dengue cases have been reported in the national capital this year, with 35 of them recorded in August, according to the latest municipal report released earlier this week. At least 131 cases of malaria have also been reported till August 24, the report said. The cases of vector borne diseases have drastically reduced in the city but still all three municipal corporations keep purchasing insecticides at high cost.  “A minimum lethal dose of insecticide is required to kill larva while using it in huge quantity is hazardous to human health. The Corporation is spraying insecticides in large drains where Culex mosquitos breeds.” a senior corporation official said.

Neeraj Sharma, a nominated AAP councilor from North Delhi said the health officers of public health department has been involved in corruption by spending huge money in purchasing insecticides. Sharma said that he had written a letter to the Prime Minister highlighting the issue of corruption in health department of North Corporation. “District Health Officer (DHO) of Karol Bagh zone, Dr Ashok Rawat granted health trade license to Arpit Hotel four years consecutively, ignoring laid down norms and still become MHO in headquarter,” he said, adding that he had demanded removal of Dr Rawat.

The AAP councilor alleged that Rawat who was appointed as an additional MHO by bypassing five of his seniors are mastermind behind purchasing insecticides at huge cost. 

He said that during last six months from January to June 2019, the corporation has used only 15,000 kg Bacillus thuringiensis serotype israelensis (BTI) and 10,000 kg of Temephose granules as anti-larval insecticide even after mosquito density and cases of dengue were very low during this period.

“Surprisingly, the corporation is planning to purchase insecticides in huge quantity now in next six month from July to December 2019, North MCD is going to purchase huge amount of anti-larval insecticides worth 10 crores i.e. 70,000 kg BTI, 14,000 kg Diflubenzurone, 30,000 kg Temephose granules etc while SDMC is purchasing only 2500 kg of Diflubenzurone unnecessarily,” Sharma said.

“As per Government of India current policy, insecticides and medicines must be purchased through easy and transparent Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal within 10 minutes and at competitive rate but still officials are opting private players, giving them an extra Rs 30 lakh to 10 Crore as servicing charge unnecesarly which is not required in GeM,” a source in the corporation said, adding that the vigilance department of North Corporation has also written a letter to the health department and sought clarification on the issue.