Bengaluru: Amid reports of a spike in dengue cases in the state, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Sunday urged the government to declare it an "emergency situation", and to make testing free.

The BJP leader also stressed the need to set up a task force in every taluk and a control room, among other measures to monitor and to control the dengue spread.

"Dengue cases are on a rise in the state since January, two children have died due to dengue and there are reports of three to four deaths due to dengue every day and it is painful. There is fear among people across the state, but the government is not afraid yet," Ashoka said.

While speaking to reporters after visiting a government hospital here and meeting infected patients and doctors, he said, 13-14 per cent among the hundred samples checked are getting confirmed for dengue, and there are reports of more deaths among those suffering with comorbidities.

ALSO READ: Meeting to decide on location for Bengaluru's second airport soon: Minister MB Patil

"So controlling dengue is important.....the government should have constituted a taskforce in every taluk, set up a control room, ensured supply of medicines, which they have not done," he added.

Further stating that according to information that he has gathered more than two lakh people are infected by dengue in the state, Ashoka said, the government should bear the expenses of testing.

"The way we did free testing during COVID...I urge the government to immediately make testing free. Rs 600-Rs1,000 is being charged for testing, poor are unable to test," he said.

Pointing out that the government has increased taxes on everything, he said, "free testing may cost about Rs 10 crore, is the government unable to spend that much?" Noting that among those infected many are children, Ashoka said, probably the government has not observed this.

"The government should declare dengue an emergency situation and create alertness among the officials," he said.

He also stressed the need for cleanliness, mobilisation of ASHA and Anganwadi workers to keep a house-to-house check on those with dengue symptoms, setting up separate wards at hospitals for dengue cases, fogging to control mosquitos and to create awareness and assurance among the people who were panicking about the situation.

Get all the latest, breaking news from Karnataka in a single click. CLICK HERE to get all the latest news from Karnataka.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Udupi: A case has been registered at the Udupi Town Police Station after miscreants created a fake account on social media platforms using the name of Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojari and demanded money.

The complaint states that the accused misused the MP's photo to create a fake account on Instagram and sought money from the public.

ALSO READ: Case registered against lecturer Dr. Arun Ullal over hate speech allegations

MP Poojari's advocate, Shyamsundar Nayari, has urged the police to take appropriate legal action against those involved, alleging that the fake accounts were created with the intention of illegally obtaining money and damaging the MP’s reputation.

Get all the latest, breaking news from Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada in a single click. CLICK HERE to get all the latest news from Mangaluru.