Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: Dengue larvae has been discovered in 3 Union Councils (UCs) of Rawalpindi City owing to alleged negligence and slackness of District Administration, Health Department and TMA Rawal Town and other concerned departments.

The anti-dengue campaign being launched in collaboration with several departments has reduced to only publicity drive as it stands confined to files and close-door meetings. This lack lustre campaign has rung the alarming bells for a looming threat of dengue fever in Rawalpindi.

The presence of dengue larvae has been confirmed in Malkan grave-yard located in UC-31, Farooqia grave-yard in UC-32 and PAF grave-yard in UC-33. Report to this effect has been forwarded to Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi.

The sources said no anti dengue spray or insects killing medicines are available with Cantonment Board Rawalpindi while TMA Rawal Town is having a limited stock of the medicines which are of low quality and expired.

Sources said despite the target of cleanliness of 61 grave-yards given on January 01 this year, Rawal Town has carried out cleanliness work only in 29 grave-yards so far. As many as 32 grave-yards have turned into breeding ground for dengue mosquitoes.

It is pertinent to say that Rawal Town was divided into 4 different sectors in connection with anti dengue campaign and all the town officers were given target to check and ensure cleanliness arrangements in 237 major go-downs, 14 ancient dilapidated buildings, 61 grave-yards 73 service stations, 324 workshops, 53 marriage halls and 61 under construction buildings of the city. But they have failed to achieve 50 percent target despite passage of 5 months.