Jammu, Oct 7: Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday expressed grave concern over the alarming surge in dengue cases across the Jammu division, accusing the present NC Government and the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) of utter negligence and failure to implement preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, BJP spokesperson and former Deputy Mayor, Purnima Sharma, along with Dr Pardeep Mahotra, media secretary, J&K BJP, warned the NC-led government against playing with public health and demanded immediate corrective action.
Purnima Sharma said that Jammu was witnessing a steep rise in dengue infections, with eighty-nine new cases reported on Saturday alone, taking the total tally to 1,316 this year.
“Just a week ago, the cases were under a hundred, and within days, they have crossed a thousand — exposing the administration’s lack of preparedness and seriousness,” she stated.
Sharma pointed out that J&K recorded nearly 7,000 dengue cases in 2024, 6,403 cases and 10 deaths in 2023, and 8,269 cases with 18 deaths in 2022, yet the authorities have failed to learn lessons.
“Fogging drives are rare, and sanitation measures remain confined to paperwork. The NC government and JMC have left residents to fend for themselves amid rising infections,” she said and demanded that the administration immediately launch intensive fogging, anti-larvae operations, and awareness campaigns across all wards.
Purnima also accused the Omar Abdullah-led NC government of focusing solely on Srinagar while ignoring Jammu’s public health and hygiene.
“Why is the government concerned only about Kashmir? Is Jammu’s health less important?” she asked, questioning, what she said, “the regime’s double standards.”
Expressing concern over unhygienic street food and unchecked vendors, she urged JMC to conduct regular inspections and strict drives to ensure compliance with food safety standards. “There is a dire need for routine checks around schools, markets, and bus stands to prevent outbreaks of food-borne illnesses. Authorities must act before people start falling sick in large numbers,” she warned.
