Dengue outbreak posing challenge, admits CM

Conceding that the dengue outbreak was posing a challenge, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said that all efforts were being made to bring the incidence of dengue under control with the participation of various departments and local bodies.

Speaking at the MGR centenary celebrations here on Saturday, he said seasonal changes had caused an outbreak of dengue. All departments, District Collectors, public health officials, rural health workers and officials of local bodies were involved in taking effective steps to control mosquito breeding.

Stating that effective treatment was being extended to patients with dengue symptoms and fever in government hospitals, Mr. Palaniswami said all hospitals were fully equipped to tackle the situation.

Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar was conducting review meetings in all districts to take stock of the situation. However, the incidence of dengue could not be controlled without the participation of the people, he said, and asked non-governmental organisations to join hands with the government to control the spread of dengue.

‘Opposition irresponsible’

Referring to the criticism of Mr. Stalin, who had termed the ruling dispensation as a “dengue government”, Mr. Palaniswami said Opposition parties had equal responsibility in alleviating the sufferings of people. Instead, they were politicising the issue and making irresponsible statements to tarnish the Government.

“This is not surprising, though. The Opposition parties are spreading misinformation campaign out of jealousy, failure and frustration. I do not want to waste time answering them. We have learnt our lessons from former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on how to tackle them. We will follow [in] her footsteps,” Mr. Palaniswami said.

On criticism by opposition parties that the AIADMK had failed to deliver goods on all aspects of governance, the Chief Minister said: “I have cleared all files. No file is pending. We will come out with many more schemes. The Opposition parties will soon realise that the Amma government is really working for the development of people and the State,” he said.

Without naming anyone, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said a “few persons” had planned to topple the Amma government by joining hands with “traitors” so as to come to power through the back door. “They have failed miserably and no one can unseat the popular government. The government will continue to work for the development of people,” he asserted.

Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha M. Thambi Durai, Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal and Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar spoke.