HC notice to UP govt on swine flu

Lucknow, Feb 24: The Allahabad High Court today sought reply from the Uttar Pradesh authorities on a PIL seeking direction for proper and effective control of swine flu and other influenza-like diseases raging in the state.

The Lucknow bench of the court summoned Director General Medical and Health, District Magistrate, Chief Medical Officer and Nagar Swasthya Adhikari Lucknow tomorrow to inform it as to what action was being taken and what was proposed for preventing the people from such diseases.

A division bench of justices Imtiyaz Murtaza and Ritu Raj Awasthi passed the order on a PIL filed by a local lawyer. The court directive came on a day when the number of swine flu patients in rose to 350 in UP, with the state capital alone accounting for 273 cases, and the death toll reached 10 in the state.

According to Nutan Thakur, counsel for petitioner Tripuresh Tripathi, it was alleged that the events of the last few days have proved beyond all doubts that the Centre and UP government have failed in controlling swine flu.

Peoples are suffering and dying because of lack of facilities, the PIL alleged. It was further alleged that state government and private hospitals are showing "extremely casual attitude" towards this "serious and killer disease".

On behalf of the state government, Additional Advocate General Bulbul Godiyal told the court that serious efforts have been made by the state government to protect people from such diseases.

PTI