Delhi govt did nothing in time on dengue: Cong

New Delhi, Sep 17: Delhi Congress workers today staged a protest outside Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence in Civil Lines area against his government's alleged failure to control rising cases of dengue.

Leading the protesters, Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken accused that AAP government of being completely unprepared to tackle the situation.

"It is unfortunate that even when Congress an opposition party took lead in awareness for prevention against dengue, Delhi government did nothing in this regard in time," he said. Maken further held Kejriwal responsible for the spread of the disease and deaths caused by it. Senior Congress leader P C Chacko termed the situation as an "emergency" and criticised government over its failure to control dengue in Delhi.

"This is first time that people are dying and the government is busy arranging for beds. Thousands are affected from the disease while there are no beds, medicines and test kits in the hospitals," he alleged.

Former Delhi Health minister and party leader Kiran Walia said, "We used to prepare for prevention against dengue holding meetings with MCD and health officials at least six months before the disease outbreak."

"Preparation for preventive measures and treatment facilities should have begun in May but the Chief Minister was busy with CYSS (AAP's student outfit) and rock concert," she said. Scores of Congress party leaders and workers marched in procession from Parmanand hospital in Civil Lines to Kejriwal's residence.

As per the municipal corporation's data, 613 cases of dengue have been reported in the last one week and a total 1,872 patients have tested positive for the vector borne disease till September 12. The death toll as per the official data stands at 5, while as the per hospital's records, 14 deaths have been reported across the city till date.

PTI