Petrobangla, TCB among 39 entities fined Tk30.53 lakh in anti-dengue drive

Mobile courts have realised Tk30.53 lakh in fines from 39 establishments, including state-owned Petrobangla and Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), during the ongoing anti-dengue drive in Dhaka North and Dhaka South as larvae of Aedes mosquitos were found in their buildings.

The mobile courts of zone-10 of Dhaka North collected Tk28.40 lakh in 16 cases while the zone-8 mobile courts of Dhaka South collected Tk2.13 lakh in 23 cases on Monday.

Dhaka North has fined four companies, including the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources Corporation (Petrobangla) and the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), Tk20 lakh after Aedes mosquito larvae were detected in the underground parking spots of the buildings of these organisations.

Dhaka North Region-5 Executive Magistrate Motakabbir Ahmed conducted the drive. Dhaka North Mayor Md Atiqul Islam was present during this drive.

A fine of Tk5 lakh each was imposed on Petrobangla, Jamuna Oil, TCB and Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation. A residential building was also fined Tk5 lakh.

"It is very sad and disappointing to find Aedes mosquito larvae in government institutions. In inter-ministerial meetings, all of us said we would keep our institutions clean but in reality, none is performing their duties properly," said Mayor Atiqul Islam.

"Aedes mosquito larvae were found in the drains of Petrobangla car parking. Larvae are literally cultivated here! Today Petrobangla would not have to pay Tk5 lakh if they had taken measures spending only Tk500," the mayor added.

Petrobangla Chairman Zanendra Nath Sarker told reporters that he had identified the water accumulation problem two weeks ago and hired a contractor to clean the area. Now, if larvae are found, the contractor and official of the Petrobangla branch concerned must take the responsibility for it.

Yesterday was the third day of the special drive against dengue by Dhaka North.

On Monday, a Dhaka South mobile court, headed by Executive Magistrate Manzurul Haque, fined Bangladesh Eye Hospital's Dhanmondi branch Tk30,000 after Aedes larvae were found in the building of the hospital.

Additionally, real estate conglomerate Concord Group was fined Tk50,000 after larvae were found in one of its under-construction buildings in Dhanmondi.

On Monday, eight mobile courts of Dhaka South conducted in Dhanmondi-30, Gopibagh, Jhigatala, Bangshal, Maniknagar, Swamibagh, Manda, Notun Para, Demra, Rasulpur, Kutubkhali, Dhania and Jatrabari.

Meanwhile, a special combing operation started yesterday to destroy Aedes larvae in the courtyards of all educational institutions in Dhaka South. Leaflets have been distributed in educational institutions to create awareness. 

Besides, a 3-day special combing operation is also ongoing in 30 wards of Dhaka South.