Supreme Court slaps a fine of Rs 25,000 on Delhi Health Minister

New Delhi: In the wake of rising dengue and Chikungunya cases in the capital, the Supreme Court has slammed a fine of Rs. 25,000 on the State Health Minister, Satyendra Jain, in his personal capacity, for not filing an affidavit on what steps the Delhi Government is taking to deal with the two vector borne diseases. In particular, the court has fined the minister in delay in disclosing names of officers who are allegedly disobeying his orders on dealing with vector-borne diseases dengue and chikungunya.

This came after a Delhi based doctor, Anil Mittal, filed a PIL, questioning the issue of the national capital being used a dumping ground leading to the menace of vector borne diseases .

Also Read: New Delhi: SC to hear PIL on Chikunguniya menace in the state

The case was Pursued and Delhi Health Minister, Satyendra Jain was questioned on the issue, in the wake of rising cases of vector borne diseases.

Taking into consideration the previous interactions between the Supreme Court and the Health Minister, the Supreme Court asked Delhi Health Minister to tell names of the officials of Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD), who were not obeying their orders.

With the failure of the minister to reply in time, the apex court has now slapped a fine of Rs. 25,000 on the Health Minister for not obeying it's orders and not filing the affidavit naming the faulty officials.

The supreme court told Jain "You make such tall claims about what you can do. Why can't you file an affidavit in time,"

"You don't need time when people are dying of chikungunya, you should have worked overnight to prepare the affidavit."

As per HT reports, the city has reported 1,692 cases of dengue and 3,695 cases of chikungunya – with scores of death reported until September 24.