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Cuttack, Jan 21: Twenty-four people have died due to jaundice and more than 2,000 persons were affected by the disease in Sambalpur town and its adjoining places recently, government affidavits filed in Orissa High Court said Wednesday.
In response to an earlier High Court notice, Sambalpur additional district collector Rajesh Kumar Agarwal, public health department assistant engineer Ananta Kishore Tripathy and Sambalpur Municipal Corporation commissioner submitted separate affidavits in the court.
Necessary steps have been taken to contain the disease from spreading. A district-level control cell has been formed for the purpose. Besides, the state government has earmarked Rs 160 crore to improve water supply system and Rs 60 crore for restoration drainage system in the district as part of its measures to contain the disease, the affidavits read.
Moreover, patients afflicted with jaundice are being provided free treatment. Halogen tablets, bleaching powders and other health services are being provided to them at health camps and hospitals in the district. Efforts are on to eradicate the disease, the affidavits stated.
The notices were issued to the respondents on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Sambalpur-based social activist Shyamakanta Bisi. The petitioner had urged the court to direct the state government to pay adequate compensation to the victims’ kin and take measures to check spread of the disease.
When the petitioner’s advocate Bijay Kumar Ragad sought time to file rejoinders to the counter affidavits, a division bench headed by Chief Justice Amitava Roy posted the matter to be heard again after two weeks.