Madhya Pradesh Government’s Response to COVID-19 (January 2020- April 17, 2020)
Distilled Policy Brief
- Welfare measures introduced during the early pandemic phase included a one-time financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to construction labourers, Rs 2,000 to families of Sahariya, Baiga, and Bharia tribes, and two months of advanced social security pensions.
- The government launched the SAARTHAK app on March 29 for daily tracking of quarantined and positive patients, and established District Crisis Management groups to coordinate local policy implementation.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
State-level legislative frameworks for epidemic management and welfare schemes targeted at specific tribal groups (such as Sahariya, Baiga, and Bharia).
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyzing the effectiveness of decentralized governance, state-specific public health legislations, and targeted social safety nets for vulnerable tribal populations during public health emergencies.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the measures taken by the Government of Madhya Pradesh during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (January to April 2020), consider the following statements: 1. The 'SAARTHAK' app was launched for the daily tracking of quarantined and positive patients. 2. Financial assistance of Rs 2,000 was provided specifically to families belonging to the Sahariya, Baiga, and Bharia tribes. 3. Section 71 of the Madhya Pradesh Public Health Act, 1949 was invoked to grant special rights to Chief Medical and Health Officers to control outbreak-affected areas. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
All the statements are correct based on the provided text. The government launched the SAARTHAK app on March 29 for daily tracking, provided financial assistance including Rs 2,000 to families of Sahariya, Baiga, and Bharia tribes, and invoked Section 71 of the Madhya Pradesh Public Health Act, 1949, to empower Chief Medical and Health Officers and Civil Surgeons to take swift control actions.
🏛️ 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.