Anti-mosquito drive limping in 11 MCL colonies

TALCHER: Workers living in 11 colonies of Talcher coal field have expressed resentment over lack of adequate cleaning and sanitation drive by local MCL authorities.  Despite directives from MCL top brass, they alleged that bush cutting, cleaning of drains and fogging are yet to be taken up in these old and unplanned colonies. The authorities have been supplied with 10 fogging machines but these are hardly used in the disease-prone colonies, workers alleged. No anti-mosquito drive has been carried out in Anantq, Jagganath, Balanda, Kalinga township, central colony and Deulbera. “Seven days back, a fogging machine was seen in Deulbera colony. Since then there has been no activity,” said Susanta Pradhan, a resident. Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh leader Badal Maharana said no steps had been initiated in the MCL colonies to contain the disease. “I would appeal to the MCL CMD to depute senior officials from the headquarters to monitor dengue control works in the coal mine colonies,” he said.   MCL Director (Personnel) S C Padhey said anti-mosquito drive was on in the colonies and other areas. He said he would look into the complaints.Pany slams GovtThe State Government seems nonchalant even as dengue cases are on the rise in Angul district. More cases are being reported with the death roll rising to 20. While at MCL Central Hospital about 20 per cent of fever patients tested positive for dengue, that has gone up to 28 per cent in the last two days.      The situation is not under control, observed a MCL doctor. Commenting on Health Minister Prasana Acharya‘s statement in the Assembly on dengue, Rajya Sabha member Rudra Narayan Pany questioned the delay in declaring dengue as an epidemic in the State.In a letter to the Union Health Minister, Pany wanted stationing a team of doctors and paramedical staff in Angul-Talcher belt. MCL, NTPC and Nalco and other top corporate bodies working in Angul belt should be directed to take measures to combat dengue, he has said. MCL trade union leader Sudarshan Mahanty echoed similar views. He accused the State Government of doing little to contain the spread of                  dengue.