Delhi allots more funds to fight dengue, malaria

New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) With the worst dengue outbreak seen in the last five years, the Delhi government Tuesday decided to release an additional amount of Rs.35 crore to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for controlling vector borne diseases.

‘The Delhi government has sanctioned an additional budget of Rs.35 crore to the MCD for intensifying anti-larval and anti-adult vector measures to control the vector borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya and malaria in the capital,’ said Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia.

‘The money will be released within a day or two,’ she said.

Kiran Walia Tuesday met Finance Minister A.K. Walia, seeking the release of additional funds for this purpose.

The civic body stopped fogging Oct 21, blaming the Delhi government for not releasing funds since the Commonwealth Games concluded Oct 14.

Kiran Walia said the initial budget to control such diseases this year was Rs.16.70 crore, which was increased by Rs.5 crore before the Commonwealth Games.

As of Monday, the total number of dengue cases in the city reached 5,215, with 75 new cases reported. Dengue has killed eight people this year.