MCC stumps builders violating norms on malaria control

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 07, 2016:  The Malaria Control Action Committee of MCC - Mangaluru City Corporation has decided to impose a fine of Rs 15,000 each on owners of seven under construction sites across the city.

The sites are Falnir Health Centre on Falnir Road; Falnir Terraces on S L Mathias Road; Mak - on Sturrock Road; Kudvas Grandeur in Surathkal, A J Institute at Bangra Kulur; Petunia at Shaktinagar, and Alexandria on Light House Hill Road and so on.


Mayor Jacintha Vijay Alfred told media that the 57 multi-purpose health workers of the civic body carried out a 10-day intensive survey of all 401 construction sites including 256 multi-storied and 145 individual dwelling units across the city from February 5. Out of these malaria larvae was found breeding in 11 individual and 61 multi-storied buildings. Notices were issued to 12 owners.

With the owners given one week to take corrective action, the Mayor said City Corporation decided to impose fines on the seven multi-storied buildings as there was no improvement in the situation at site during a subsequent follow up visit. The surveillance teams from district health and family welfare office as well as MCC are constantly on the job, she said adding surveillance teams focus on labourers at construction site and MCC teams on source reduction of the vector.

Given that the district health officer’s team has no punitive powers to crack down on those found aiding the breeding of vectors at source, MCC has taken the onus to punish such violators, noted Manu Kumar B P, environmental engineer, MCC. "No builder has challenged the fines so far, and have paid it," Manu said, adding MCC has provision to recover the same from the caution deposit that builders deposit with civic body at the time of obtaining license, if they default.