JE Virus: Pradhan Criticises Odisha Govt

Bhubaneswar: Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday criticized the Odisha government for failing to check Japanese Encephalitis virus in the state.

He advised the state government to stop from resorting to blaming game against the centre and concentrate on health care in affected districts.

Pradhan said immunization is not the single cause for the spread of Japanese Encephalitis in tribal districts of Odisha.

“Who had stopped state government to distribute mosquito net in the affected districts,” asked the Union minister.

He said it is the responsibility of the state government to take care of animal resources responsible for the spread of the deadly disease among humans.

However, BJD spokesperson Prashant Nanda blamed the centre for not discharging its duty. He also accused Pradhan of doing politics over the death of children due to the spread of JE virus.

He said the centre had advised not to go for vaccination in the affected areas.