from daijiworld's special correspondent (MB)
Panaji, Jul 13: Worried over alarming rise in Malaria cases, Goa government has decided to take police action against erring builders who ignore health rules.
"Construction sites have become breeding sites for mosquitoes. There is rise in construction activity and builders are acting careless,'' state health minister Vishwajit Rane, told reporters stating that the state government has decided to tighten the screws on erring builders.
Working class people are seen waiting for their turn outside an urban health centre in Panaji for Malaria check-up and tests. Thousands from the working class are suffering from viral fever. It has been made compulsory for all buildin contractors who employ labourers to get them examined. (Pics Rajtilak Naik, Panaji)
"Migrant labourers and construction sites are responsible for the rise in malaria cases.... We have seen that despite warning some builders tend to ignore health rules,'' Rane said.
The tourist state has witnessed alarming 2,883 cases of malaria which includes 788 falciparum cases till now, this year. Three deaths due to Malaria has been reported till June month.``This is something to worry... We have geared up the health department machinery to curb the further spread of this disease,'' Rane said.
Goa chief minister Digamber Kamat has already asked the health minister to form the public health authority for ensuring prompt action in this regards.
Rane said that if the builders continue ignoring the health rules, which includes compulsory health cards to the migrant labourers, the government will initiate police action against them. :We don't want to harass them but we want to make them aware of their responsibility,'' the health minister said.
Malaria Matters: