Delhiites may face Rs 50,000 fine for mosquito breeding as civic bodies propose 100% fine hike
India Today
The Delhi Municipal Corporation officials have proposed a 100 times hike in the fine levied on people who allow mosquito breeding on their premises.
After the Delhi High Court directed the Municipal Corporation in Delhi (MCD) to impose heavier penalties to tackle mosquito breeding, the officials have proposed a hike in fine who allow mosquito breeding on their premises. The MCD officials have recommended a 100 per cent hike in the fine levied on people who allow mosquito breeding on their premises.
In January, the national capital logged the highest number of dengue cases in the last six years, raising the concerns of officials. In 2021, Delhi reported 9,613 dengue cases with 23 deaths, the second worst annual outbreak on record.
In December 2021, the Delhi HC observed that people of the national capital continue to suffer due to vector-borne diseases and no corrective measures were taken by the authorities. The court then directed the local bodies, including the three municipal corporations, to constitute task forces and control mosquito infestation in the city, news agency PTI said in a report.
The civic body officials have proposed to increase the fine of Rs 500 up to Rs 50,000 on people on people whose premises mosquito larvae would be found. The officials told Hindustan Times (HT) that the proposal has been sent to the Delhi government as it includes the amendment of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act.
According to the officials, they have proposed to the Delhi government to amend section 482 of the DMC Act and increase the maximum fine up to Rs 50,000.
"The public health official will also be empowered to determine the quantum of the fine on a case to case basis,” a senior public health official was quoted by HT as saying.
Earlier, the court had pulled up the DMC officials saying that after looking at the laid back attitude of people, fine must be increased.
