THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 12 March 2020 (Epidemic Diseases Act(Indian Express))

Epidemic Diseases Act(Indian Express)

Mains Paper 2:Health
Prelims level: Epidemic Diseases Act
Mains level: Provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897

Context:

• On Wednesday (March 11), it was decided in a Cabinet Secretary meeting that states and Union Territories should invoke provisions of Section 2 of Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, so that Health Ministry advisories are enforceable.
• At present, at least 60 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in India. Around the world, more than 119,100 people have been infected and nearly 4,300 have died, according to a Reuters tally of government announcements.
• The Epidemic Diseases Act is routinely enforced across the country for dealing with outbreaks of diseases such as swine flu, dengue, and cholera.

History of the 1897 Epidemic Diseases Act:

• The colonial government introduced the Act to tackle the epidemic of bubonic plague that had spread in the erstwhile Bombay Presidency in the 1890s.
• Using powers conferred by ...................................

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Provisions of the 1897 Epidemic Diseases Act:

• The Act, which consists of four sections, aims to provide “for the better prevention of the spread of Dangerous Epidemic Diseases.”
• Section 2 empowers state governments/UTs to take special measures and formulate regulations for containing the outbreak. It reads:
• “Power to take special measures and prescribe regulations as to dangerous epidemic disease.—
• When at any time the State .................................................

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Examples of implementation:

• In 2018, the district collector of Gujarat’s Vadodara issued a notification under the Act declaring the Khedkarmsiya village in Waghodia taluka as cholera-affected after 31 persons complained of symptoms of the disease.
• In 2015, to deal with malaria and dengue in Chandigarh, the Act was implemented and controlling officers were instructed to ensure the issuance of notices and challans of Rs 500 to offenders.
• In 2009, to tackle the swine flu outbreak in Pune, Section 2 powers were used to open screening centres in civic hospitals across the city, and swine flu was declared a notifiable disease.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the Freedom in the World 2020 report, consider the following statements:
1. India’s score fell by four points to 71, the worst decline among the world’s 25 largest democracies this year.
2. Freedom in the World is a yearly survey and report by the U.S.-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Freedom House

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: C

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Mains Questions:
Q.1) What are the reasons behind the government is invoking the Epidemic Diseases Act? What are the provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897?