Following increase in malarial cases in the city the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has decided to disconnect water supply lines of buildings and police stations that fail to take appropriate measures to check the breeding of mosquitoes inside their premises. One death due to malaria has been reported form the city. It was decided at a meeting today that if a building owner is served a notice under Section 496(2) of the KMC Act, 1980, for storing water that acts as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and within one week the owner does not take steps against it, then water supply to the building will be disconnected. "Previously a case would be filed against the owner of the building at the municipal court. But now we have decided to disconnect the water supply line of the building," member mayor-in-council (health), Dr Subodh De said. When asked whether KMC could disconnect water supply lines, mayor, Mr Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya, said the Act enables the civic body to take penal action. But does not specify what. It was further decided at the meeting that unclaimed or uncovered tyres, another potential breeding ground for mosquito larvae, will be seized and disposed off at the Dhapa dumping grounds. Also seized would be old and unused vehicles of the police, which have been left unattended. Meanwhile, field workers and doctors of the health department have been asked to attend work on time failing which permanent civic staff will be asked to show-cause and be suspended. On the other hand, the services of contractual staff will be terminated for dereliction of duty. The health, conservancy and engineering departments of the civic body will also jointly carry out a weekly drive to intensify anti-larval measures. n SNS