Closed again: On TN govt's lockdown order in Chennai(The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2:Governance
Prelims level:Not much
Mains level: Steps needed to end the pandemic

Context:

• The Tamil Nadu government’s decision to impose a complete lockdown in Chennai and parts of neighbouring places for 12 days from June 19 is a response to rising apprehension that the coronavirus pandemic has spun out of control.
• When such a measure was resorted to earlier, for four days from April 26, the cumulative cases in the State were 1,821, but they have snowballed to just over 46,500 cases on June 15.
• Mortalityhas also risen in spite of many curbs from the earlier lockdown being retained during the ‘Unlock 1’ phase, such as the absence of bus transport.

Confusion:

• The AIADMK government has done well to learn some lessons from the previous full lockdown episode, which led to crowding for the purchase of essentials.
• This time it has allowed three days for the city and neighbouring districts to prepare.
• Yet, it is the preventable ballooning of cases that has necessitated a fresh lockdown now, highlighting the desultory approaches to infection prevention.
• With some determination, and steps such as free distribution of masks, the public could have been nudged into healthy behaviour.
• The State government appeared to be confused, initially denying any such plan and even informing the High Court to that effect.

Highlights the impact:

• The national experience with a lockdown makes it clear that it is a blunt weapon, useful only for a brief period, and to support a clear plan of action.
• Some studies point to heightened impact of an activity freeze on the urban poor, who have to cope with such pressures by liquidating their savings, and may be worse off than their rural count................................

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Conclusion:

• Tamil Nadu’s latest measure seems to have caught some sections of industry, such as the automotive sector that depends on a stable supply chain, by surprise.
• The economy today is complex and a more transparent and consultative approach is necessary to plan for the future.
• During the full lockdown phase, the government must cohere to make up for lost time:
• distribute masks to all;
• bring about compliance in mask-wearing and physical distancing;
• help densely populated areas, and;
• make testing universally available.

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Prelims Questions:

Q1. With reference to the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), consider the following statements:
1. It is the biggest fiscal component of the Rs 20-lakh crore Self-Reliant India Mission package announced by Finance Minister last month.
2. It covers only Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: ..................................................

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Mains Questions:
Q1.  Do you think another strict lockdown can be .................................................