Sikkim Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic (till April 22, 2020)
Distilled Policy Brief
- To prevent unauthorized cross-border infiltration during the pandemic, the Sikkim government secured all porous borders along the Rangpo river and vulnerable areas bordering China, Nepal, and Bhutan.
- On April 18, the state made it mandatory for public and government employees to install the Aarogya Setu app, which utilizes Bluetooth and GPS-based location for contact tracing.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
Contact tracing technology (Bluetooth and GPS) in the Aarogya Setu app and the geography of Sikkim's international borders along the Rangpo river.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyze the role of state-level interventions, border management, and localized economic relief packages in managing public health emergencies.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the administrative and preventive measures taken by the Sikkim State Government during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (up to April 2020), consider the following statements: 1. To prevent unauthorized cross-border infiltration, the state secured its porous borders along the Rangpo river as well as international borders with China, Nepal, and Bhutan. 2. The state government made it mandatory for public and government employees to install the Aarogya Setu application, which utilizes Bluetooth and GPS-based location for contact tracing. 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 Sikkim government secured its porous borders along the Rangpo river and vulnerable areas bordering China, Nepal, and Bhutan to prevent unauthorized cross-border infiltration. Statement 2 is also correct as the state made it mandatory on April 18, 2020, for public and government employees to install the Aarogya Setu app, which uses Bluetooth and GPS-based location for contact tracing.
🏛️ 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.