‘Implement Mexican curbs,shut down city’

BJP leader Ujjwal Keskar said the government had invoked the Epidemic Diseases Act more than a week ago,but district collector Chandrakant Dalvi who had been empowered with the special measures failed to deliver. “The general body should urge the government to empower the municipal commissioner to take the necessary steps. There is need to take tough decisions before the situation gets completely out of hand.”

After the issue was raised by NCP corporator Datta Dhankawade,corporators cutting across party lines said the situation was serious as there was an increase in casualties and also those testing positive for the flu. It was only on August 10 that the civic administration had sought permission to entrust it with powers for taking special measures.

Proposing the resolution,Congress leader Ulhas Bagul said the only way of containing the spread of the virus was to invoke strict measures. “The Mexican model has given good results. This will mean issuing prohibitory orders or imposing curfew in the city.”

NCP corporator Subhash Jagtap agreed to it,saying that prohibitory orders were essential if the spread of the virus has to be contained. “If the civic body fails to contain the spread of virus that has affected thousands so far,then the citizens will criticise us for keeping quiet,” BJP corporator Shivram Mengade said.

Standing committee chairman Nilesh Nikam of the NCP said the demand for implementing the Mexican model was justified as there was panic and fear among citizens.

NCP leader Anil Bhosale said the civic medical staff has done a commendable job so far,but a lot more had to be done. A meeting of leaders of all political parties should be called,he said.

There was even a personal appeal at the meeting. Congress corporator Laxman Arde said that he was struggling to get his daughter treated in city hospitals. “The NIV report says that my daughter is negative for H1N1 virus,but her situation is still bad. She has been admitted to a private hospital.”

The corporators said the civic administration should take as many general practitioners as possible into confidence and urge them to help the civic medical staff.

Civic health chief R R Pardeshi said the civic administration was working 24X7 to tackle the situation. “The casualties so far have been of those having health complications and poor immune system. The services have been upgraded with 120 beds at Naidu Hospital for treating the H1N1 positive while those critical are being treated at Sassoon General Hospital.”