Salem Corporation deploys 700 DBC workers to fight dengue
The Salem Corporation has intensified anti-dengue measures, and Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBC) have been deployed on daily wages across four zones in the city.
The Corporation has appointed one DBC worker per 300 houses as part of its anti-dengue measures to control Aedes mosquitoes, which involve identifying and destroying mosquito breeding sources and raising public awareness.
A total of 700 DBC workers were initially appointed for a three-month period from 1 January to 31 March 2025 in four zones under the Corporation's jurisdiction. With the onset of summer rains and increased water storage by residents during the season, the risk of mosquito larvae breeding in containers has heightened. To counter this, the Corporation reappointed the workers for a further 89 days, from 1 April to 28 June. The 700 DBC workers are members of the women self-help workers and earn per day ₹550, including ₹473 as daily wage and ₹77 as Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees State Insurance (ESI).
Corporation officials said 100 DBC workers each have been deployed Suramangalam, Hasthampatti, Ammapet, and Kondalampatti zones, besides 70 DBC workers (14 teams) each for the Suramangalam and Hasthampatti zones and 80 DBC workers (16 teams) each for the Kondalampatti and Ammapet zones for special duty as rapid team workers and to carry out anti-dengue measures at public places, commercial establishments, government offices, and disease hot spots.
So the Corporation will spend ₹83.25 lakh each for Suramangalam and Hasthampatti zones and ₹88.11 lakh for Ammapet and Kondalampatti zones. The expenditure will be drawn from the general fund belonging to the concerned zone, officials added.
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