Bengaluru: The Karnataka authorities has notified dengue as an ‘epidemic illness’ and launched rules, which permit authorities to penalise those that disobey its orders or fail to take measures to cease breeding of mosquitoes.
“In exercise of the power conferred by section 3 of The Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020 (Karnataka Act 26 of 2020), the Government of Karnataka hereby notifies Dengue fever, including severe forms of dengue fever as an Epidemic Disease in the State of Karnataka,” a authorities notification mentioned.

The authorities has additionally launched amendments to the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Regulation, 2020, mandating individuals to be extra accountable in containing the unfold of the vector-borne illness. The modification proposes penalties in three classes family, industrial and energetic building areas.

For households in city and rural areas, the penalty can be Rs 400 and Rs 200 respectively. In industrial areas, the penalty can be Rs 1,000 in city areas and Rs 500 within the rural neighbourhoods. Owners of energetic building areas which offer area for mosquitoes to breed can be fined Rs 2,000 in city localities and Rs 1,000 in rural ones.

The rules make it obligatory for homeowners and occupiers of the family buildings to take obligatory measures to forestall breeding of mosquitoes. “They should ensure to cover or secure the water storage containers, sumps or overhead tanks with a lid or any material to prevent mosquito breeding. They should also dispose of solid waste material to prevent water accumulation & mosquito breeding,” in response to the notification.

Empty vessels, pot saucers, cans, containers, unused tyres, elements or some other stable waste supplies shouldn’t be saved in such a way that they’re more likely to acquire and retain water which can trigger breeding of mosquitoes, it was acknowledged.

Every particular person, establishment or company ought to take care to forestall assortment or accumulation of water, inside or exterior the premises, in order to forestall nuisance to the neighbours or the neighborhood as a supply for mosquito breeding, the rules learn.

The competent authority can be empowered to enter, examine the premises, challenge instructions, levy penalties and implement all remedial measures and tips prescribed now and again by the Health and Family welfare division of the state to curb the unfold of the vector-borne illnesses.

“If the person on whom a notice is served, fails or refuses to take measures to adopt the method of treatment specified in such notice within the time specified herein, the competent authority or its authorised officer may itself take such measures or adopt such treatment, specified in such notice within the time specified therein, and cause the cost to be recovered from the defaulter,” the rules mentioned.