Delhi Government’s Response to COVID-19 (till April 23, 2020)
Distilled Policy Brief
- As of April 23, Delhi recorded 2,248 cases of COVID-19, placing it behind Maharashtra and Gujarat with the highest number of cases in the country.
- The Delhi government notified The Delhi Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 on March 12, granting authorized personnel powers for geographical sealing and surveillance.
- Welfare measures enacted during the lockdown included one-time financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to public transport drivers and one crore rupees compensation for families of frontline employees dying of COVID-19.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
The Delhi Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 were notified under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, granting powers for containment measures such as sealing geographical areas.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyze the role of state-level disaster management responses and welfare interventions during public health emergencies in India.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the measures taken by the Delhi government in response to COVID-19 (as of April 2020), consider the following statements: 1. The Delhi Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 empower authorized personnel to enforce geographical sealing and surveillance with the approval of the State Task Force. 2. As of April 23, 2020, Delhi recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country, surpassing Maharashtra and Gujarat. 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
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statement 1 is correct because The Delhi Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 granted authorized persons, with the approval of the State Task Force, powers to take measures such as sealing a geographical area, restricting movement, and initiating surveillance. Statement 2 is incorrect because as of April 23, 2020, Delhi recorded 2,248 cases, placing it behind Maharashtra and Gujarat in the number of cases.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.