The High Court has summoned the secretary of the Local Government Ministry to explain delays in importing Aedes mosquito repellents.


The court has also issued orders for him to appear before it within Thursday (Aug 1) to present explanations on the matter.
The HC bench comprising Judge Tariq ul Hakim and Judge Md. Shohrowardi issued the order on Thursday.
At the court, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) were represented by lawyers Sayeed Ahmed Raja and Toufiq Enam Tipu respectively.
The state was represented by Deputy Attorney General Kazi Mainul Hasan and Assistant Attorney General Saira Fairoz.
Earlier, the lawyers for DNCC and DSCC told the court at the hearing that sample mosquito repellents would arrive by special cargo in the country by Thursday.
They informed the court that the efficacy of the repellents would be primarily tested at a laboratory at Mohakhali.
At one point during the hearing, the HC summoned the secretary of the Local Government Ministry to explain delays in importing Aedes mosquito repellents.
On Jul 25, High Court gave a time limit up to Jul 30 to both city corporations to control Dengue. Since the anti-mosquito drive proved ineffective, the court ordered the city corporations to inform when the new medicine would arrive.
Earlier in a court order given on Jul 14, the court wanted to know from executives of both city corporations, health secretary, local government secretary and the DG of the health department of all the measures taken to contain Dengue and Chikunguniya.
At the same time, a ruling was issued asking why the inactivity of the defendants will not be deemed illegal.
Later, the two city corporations submitted reports to which the court expressed dissatisfaction and summoned two chief health officials of the city corporations.
The officials went to court and gave their explanation.