Diarrhoea outbreak in Kapurthala: Local Bodies Minister, Congress MLA spar over fixing responsibility

Aparna Banerji

Jalandhar, July 28

A day after a two-year-old child died at Sunder Nagar in Kapurthala following a diarrhoea outbreak, Local Bodies Minister MLA Balkar Singh and Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh today entered into an argument over fixing responsibility.

Another death reported in Kapurthala

• A 45-year-old Gurbachan Singh of Sunder Nagar in Kapurthala reportedly died due to diarrhoea
• The Health Department said only two of four deaths reported in Kapurthala were caused by diarrhoea
• Two persons, including a woman, from Bakar Khana also tested positive for cholera

The death of a man from Sunder Nagar is yet to be audited. Two patients from Bakar Khana have tested positive for cholera. — Dr Sandeep Dhawan, Kapurthala SMO

The MLA who visited the hotspots held the Kapurthala MC Commissioner responsible for four deaths, which reportedly happened due to the supply of contaminated water.

In the morning, the civic body teams swung into action to plug the leak, which led to diarrhoea outbreak. As the water supply had been stopped in affected localities, around 10 tankers were pressed into service to provide potable water to the affected residents.

The MC also cancelled leaves of its staff as a bevy of officials were deputed along with engineers from Chandigarh to fix the problem.

The minister visited the Kapurthala Civil Hospital and held a meeting with the officials but stopped short of ordering an inquiry into the matter despite repeated requests of the MLA.

Rana Gurjeet said, “I had told the minister earlier that the MC Commissioner doesn’t work. A total of Rs 14.6 crore are lying in the MC’s account. The House meetings aren’t happening. I stressed on cleaning sewers ahead of the Lok Sabha poll but to no avail.” “I asked the authorities to provide Rs 50 lakh for cleaning clogged drains with super sucker machines. The Commissioner doesn’t listen to councillors. Only the minister can provide clarity whether the directions were from the top. If not, then enquiry should be initiated,” said the MLA.

The minister said, “This is how democracy works. Rana Gurjeet is a senior Congress leader. We both work for the welfare of the public. He has made some valid points.”

Rana Gurjeet said, “I request you to transfer the Commissioner. You should order inquiry today.” The minister replied, “We will assess the matter.”

Balkar said, “Diarrhoea cases have been detected at Sunder Nagar, Bakar Khana, Kadupur. Forty-five patients are undergoing treatment. Six teams have been formed to visit the area. Tankers have also been pressed into the service to provide clean water. Chief engineers from Chandigarh have been deputed to fix the problem at the earliest.”

Speaking on fixing responsibility, the minister said, “During monsoon, drains get clogged. The sewage pipes have been laid in a poor manner. All issues will be addressed.”