Speaker asks minister to make statement on dengue

SRINAGAR:  Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (LA) Speaker Mubarak Gul today directed the health minister to make a statement on the spread of dengue in Jammu region.
Before taking up Question-Hour, the Speaker said he has been receiving telephone calls and other messages from people from Jammu region who are concerned over the spread of the disease.
“It is a very serious question as ours is a tourist state and this will send a wrong signal outside,” Mr Gul said and directed the Health Minister to give a full statement on this issue in the House.
Mr Gul also raised the issue of pollution in the Shehar-e-Khas and other downtown areas due to dumping of garbage in the area.
He directed Urban Development Minister to give a statement on the issue in the House on October 9, when the session concludes.
The National Panthers Party (NPP) Haresh Dev Singh alleged that government was not prepared to meet the challenge of dengu in the region.
He said 50 new cases of dengu were reported in Jammu  yesterday.
“Our hospitals are ill equipped to meet the challenge and there is shortage of doctors and paramedical staff,” he  said.
Mr Singh said there are 6447 vacancies of doctors paramedical and other staff in health department in the  state.
(AGENCIES)