DW BUREAU / Chandigar Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala directed the Health and Development & Panchayats Department officers to take all preventive measures including systematic fogging, frequent spray, strict vigil on waterlogged areas and village ponds, etc. to control the spread of dengue and malaria across the state. The Deputy Chief Minister was presiding over a review meeting regarding the preparedness for combating malaria and dengue with the officers of the Health and Development & Panchayats Department here today. Considering the exponential surge in the cases last year, he directed the officers of the Health Department and Panchayat Department that all preventive measures should be implemented well in advance across all districts with a special focus on rural areas. The Health Department officers apprised the Deputy Chief Minister that last year maximum dengue cases were reported from four districts including Mewat, Palwal, Nuh and Hodal districts. It was informed that one of the main causes of the spread was the prolonged monsoon. The Deputy Chief Minister directed the officers that fogging in all districts and rural areas should be done in a phased manner and the first phase of fogging should be completed by July 20, 2022. He further directed to depute a nodal officer from each department for maintaining interdepartmental coordination. Dushyant Chautala said that advance preparation should be made to control larvae breeding in village ponds and other water bodies for which he directed that strict vigil should be kept in those areas and also Gambusia Fish be introduced in the ponds. During the meeting Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department Rajeev Arora, Additional Chief Secretary, Development and Panchayats Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, Director, Development and Panchayats Dhirendra Khadgata and other senior officers of both departments were present. (editor@dailyworld.in)