UP Government’s Response to COVID-19 (till April 22)
Distilled Policy Brief
- The Uttar Pradesh government utilized the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 to mandate 28-days paid leave for quarantined workers and established the UP COVID Care Fund, freeing Rs 1,509 crore by suspending the legislative Local Area Development scheme for one year.
- To fund emergency response efforts, the state issued Ordinances to reduce the salaries and allowances of Ministers, MLAs, and MLCs by 30% and enhanced the state Contingency Fund limit from Rs 600 crore to Rs 1,200 crore.
- Key health and social security measures included the adoption of pool testing and making access to the Public Distribution System universal till June 30 regardless of ration or Aadhaar card availability.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
Note the mechanism used to raise the limit of a State Contingency Fund (via state legislation/Ordinance under Article 267(2)) and the statutory powers granted under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Examine state-level executive and legislative responses during biological disasters, highlighting fiscal reprioritization, emergency legislative measures, and social safety nets.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the administrative and financial measures taken by the Uttar Pradesh government during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements: 1. The state government invoked the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 to mandate 28 days of paid leave for quarantined workers. 2. The state Contingency Fund limit was enhanced from Rs 600 crore to Rs 1,200 crore to support emergency response efforts. 3. The legislative Local Area Development (LAD) scheme was suspended for one year to divert funds to the UP COVID Care Fund. 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 three statements are correct. The Uttar Pradesh government utilized the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 to mandate 28-days paid leave for quarantined workers. To fund emergency response efforts, the state enhanced its Contingency Fund limit from Rs 600 crore to Rs 1,200 crore and suspended the legislative Local Area Development (LAD) scheme for one year to free up Rs 1,509 crore for the UP COVID Care Fund.
🏛️ 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.