HC asks UP why did it return Centre's Rs 25 cr for dengue

Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court sought to know from the Uttar Pradesh government why did it return Rs 24.98 crore, given to it by the Centre in 2013-14 for putting in place a proper infrastructure for prevention of dengue and other such diseases.

Asking the state about the amount of money it received from the Centre in 2015-16 and how much of it was utilised, the Lucknow bench of the court A bench of justices Amreshwar Pratap Sahi and Vijay Laxmi gave this direction on four PILs filed with a prayer for proper arrangements for prevention of dengue and other such diseases in the state directed the Principal Secretary (medical health) to furnish the details by way of an affidavit on October 17, the next date of hearing.

The petitioners' counsel claimed that the Centre had provided Rs 24.98 crore to the state in 2013-14 for ensuring proper arrangements for prevention of these diseases, but it was returned.

The state government's counsel told the court that "proper action" was taken in this regard.

The court had summoned the Principal Secretary (medical health) and the Secretary (urban development) of Uttar Pradesh to inform it about the action taken in pursuance of its earlier orders regarding prevention of these diseases.

Both the officers, along with Chief Medical Officer, Lucknow, appeared before the court and filed affidavits on the action taken by the government in this regard.