Norms to rid planes of mosquitos okayed by Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India has unbridled powers. It can interpret the Constitution, strike down laws and yes can even decide on pest control.

The Supreme Court had in 2019 initiated a process by ordering the Union Government to set up an expert panel to study the problem of mosquitos and flies in passenger planes. It had also sought suggestions on remedial measures for disinfection of aircraft fructified on Wednesday.

The Centre had accepted the six-member panel's recommendations and the SC directed the government to take necessary action.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud of which Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala were part of were informed by additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati that all nine recommendations had been accepted.

The recommendations made were-residual disinfection or aircraft is superior than other procedures, pre-embarkation treatment of cabin and cargo may be undertaken for flights arriving in India on single0sector (non-stop flights), pre-departure disinfection for flights arriving in India from transit countries (multi-sector) endemic for vector-borne diseases to be undertaken.

"The disinsection procedure at the destination airport may be undertaken as per the regulatory requirements of that country; vector Surveillance and control activities around the aircraft bay to be undertaken to keep free from mosquito breeding; routine health monitoring surveillance of crew members may also include information on adverse health effect of disinsection; and provide information on symptoms of adverse effect due to insecticide spray to any passenger or crew member," the panel had said.