The Delhi Municipal Corporations have been ordered by the High Court on 27th July, 2021, to produce a status report detailing the efforts they have taken to avoid mosquito infestation in the national capital, particularly in light of the upcoming monsoon season.
In a suo moto PIL on the problem, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued the order.
The CJ instructed the Respondents, “File the most recent status report, taking into account the monsoon season.”
On 24th May, 2021, a panel of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh took suo moto cognizance of the national capital's mosquito infestation, remarking that the Delhi Government and Municipal Corporations had taken a ‘back seat’ in combating the spread of Dengue and Chikungunya viruses. It had voiced concern that numerous people who are infected with the dengue and Chikungunya viruses and require hospitalisation may find it impossible to obtain one owing to the Covid-19 issue, as hospital beds are already filled.
The findings were made on 25th May as the three civic bodies in the national capital prepare to initiate mega drives in last week of May, to ensure vector control — nearly 1,700 municipal staff from the north and east corporations will be involved in fogging and anti-larva medicine spraying exercises, while the south corporation will launch a different drive in its area.
According to statistics given by local organisations, 25 cases of dengue fever have been reported through 22nd May this year (2021), compared to only 18 occurrences in 2020. Similarly, the capital has only reported four cases of chikungunya through May 22, 2021, compared to ten instances over the same period last year. Delhi has registered eight cases of malaria till 22nd May, 2021, compared to 18 cases during the same period last year. Dengue fever cases totalled 1,072 in 2020, compared to 2,036 in 2019. For the current year, no figures are available.
As a result, the case was sent to the Chief's bench.
The Municipal Corporations of North, East, and South Delhi appeared in front of the Court today. The Delhi Jal Board's legal counsel was also present on 27th July,2021.
In addition, one lawyer, Arpit Bhargava, attempted to make a contribution in the case. In a PIL filed in 2017, he has been the petitioner-in-person, requesting that the government take tangible actions to curb the spread of dengue, chikungunya, and malaria.
In response to his appeal, orders were issued for the control of Dengue and Chikungunya. There were also contempt procedures started. It's possible that my case may be included to the equation.
The Bench, on the other hand, stated that it will review the authorities' responses in due course.
Up to 27th May,2021, two instances of malaria, two cases of dengue fever, and no cases of chikungunya have been recorded within the NDMC area. To date, four instances of malaria, ten cases of dengue, and two cases of chikungunya have been reported from SDMC jurisdiction. EDMC further stated that one incidence of malaria and two cases of dengue fever had been detected in its regions up until May 27.
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