Over to the states (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 2: Polity
Prelims level: COVID 19 hotspots
Mains level: Functions and responsibilities of the both Centre and states

Context:

• The guidelines for Lockdown 4, announced by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to continue a trend that began about two weeks ago. The ministry had allowed a range of economic activities in the non-COVID 19 .......................................

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Major challenges:

• The doubling rate of the coronavirus infection has improved to 13.6 per cent in the last three days, after a tough 15 days when it hovered around 11.5 per cent. The mortality and recovery figures of COVID-19 patients have also shown positive trends, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• However, these developments should not make state health authorities lose sight of the challenges they will face in the coming weeks. For example, according to a report in this newspaper, about two-thirds of the Shramik Special trains that ferry migrants back to their homes originate in COVID-19 hotspots. State authorities will have to make arrangements to test and, if need be, isolate the returning migrants in a dignified manner.
• The resumption of inter-state buses could make their task of managing the pandemic tougher. At the same time, improvements in transport could ease the desperation of the working class — that has borne a disproportionate burden of the country’s battle against the coronavirus — and check the already large toll on India’s roads and highways.
• That is why state governments need to be open-minded in exercising their transport-related powers during Lockdown 4.

States to designate zones:

• State governments had alleged that the earlier criteria of designating entire districts as infection zones circumscribed their capacity to kickstart economic activities. The new guidelines allow them to designate “......................................

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Conclusion:

• The new guidelines allow the states to deal with such eventualities. Their micro-management of the battle against COVID-19 will be watched. Devolution of powers to states to micro-manage the pandemic is welcome. They will need to work with local bodies.

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Prelims Questions:

Q1.  With reference to the Labour laws, consider the following statements:
1. UP has suspended the application of almost all labour laws in the state for the next three years including the Minimum Wages Act.
2. The subject of ‘Labour’ falls in the State list.

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.  What do you mean by the .........................................