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Despite dengue, swine-flu scare, only 50 per cent Sanitary Inspectors functional in Chennai
With the metropolis looking at an imminent outbreak of dengue and swine flu, more than half the posts of Sanitary Inspectors in Greater Chennai Corporation are lying vacant.
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Chennai
Sanitary inspectors (SI) are division level field officials responsible for sanitation and disease control. “There are 232 SI posts, but, at present, only 106 inspectors have been appointed,” a Chennai Corporation source said.
According to the source, all the 200 divisions of Chennai Corporation should have Sanitary Inspectors. “To oversee and issue birth and death certificates, each zone has two Sanitary Inspectors. Apart from this, there are two Inspectors in Ripon Buildings in birth and death certificate section,” the source added.
The source also said that such Inspectors are asked to handle two and sometimes four divisions based on the zones where they are posted.
“Usual work hours of Inspectors are 7 am to 2 pm. But after a surge in dengue and swine flu cases, we are being asked to report at 6 am and work till 8 pm. We are also responsible for the operation of Amma canteens in our divisions. Carrying out disease mitigation during outbreaks is taxing and less effective due to this extra burden,” a Sanitary Inspector, on conditions of anonymity, said.
More than 30 people have been affected with dengue and 10 have been affected by swine flu in Chennai. Four children, including twins, died due to dengue.
Incidentally, a division in Teynampet zone has round-robin scheduling of Sanitary Inspectors as the division has new Inspectors every week due to vacancy, the source said.
Meanwhile, Health Department officials of Chennai Corporation said the process of appointing new Sanitary Inspectors faced a lot of hurdles because of litigations a few months ago. “Steps have been taken to fill the vacant posts. However, disease control work is being carried out without any problem,” an official said.
According to the norms, people who have completed Sanitary Inspector course in The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University) in Dindigul would only be appointed as Sanitary Inspectors in Chennai Corporation. “There are hundreds of students with degree certificates who are unemployed. The corporation should appoint them as Sanitary Inspectors, at least, on a contract basis to ensure health and sanitation of the city,” the official said.
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- There are 232 SI posts, but, at present, only 106 inspectors have been appointed
- All the 200 divisions of Chennai Corporation should have Sanitary Inspectors
- Usual work hours of Inspectors are 7 am to 2 pm. But after a surge in dengue and swine flu cases, they are working from 6 am - 8 pm
- People who have completed Sanitary Inspector course in The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University) in Dindigul can only be appointed as Sanitary Inspectors in Chennai
- Corporation
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