NEW DELHI (PTI Dec 22, 2014): Government today admitted in Lok Sabha that its
measures to end encephalitis were not getting desired results as members voiced
concern over the disease claiming lives of 1,495 people, mostly children, so
far this year.
In a bid to increase efficacy of its drive against 'brain
fever', which has been rather severe in parts of eastern UP and Bihar, Health
Minister J P Nadda said the Centre will also involve MPs, MLAs and local bodies
in this.
Yogi Adityanath ( BJP) was critical of the Centre, ruled by
his party, saying whatever it was doing was not visible on the ground and more
children have died in his constituency Gorakhpur than those killed by terrorism
across the country.
"Despite our policies and funding, the results which
should have come are not coming. We are alive to the sentiments expressed by
members and committed to deal with the disease," Nadda said.
Citing figures, he said five most affected states except for
Tamil Nadu have failed in spending central fund released to fight 'brain
fever'. Bihar and West Bengal have used less than one per cent, Assam less than
10 per cent while UP has not sent even details, he said. Tamil Nadu has spent
over 49 per cent.