Daily Current Affairs : 14-February-2024
The 22nd Law Commission of India lately submitted Report No. 286, titled “A Comprehensive Review of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.” This record is available in response to the challenges faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the want to update our legal guidelines to better manipulate destiny fitness crises.
Importance of Revisiting the Act
The Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 has been a vital prison device in India for handling various disorder outbreaks. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed its obstacles, making it clean that we want a higher framework to tackle modern-day fitness emergencies. Here are some key factors raised with the aid of the Commission:
- Inadequate for Modern Diseases: The contemporary regulation does no longer efficiently cope with new and emerging infectious diseases.
- Need for Strengthened Laws: A evaluation and replace of the law is essential to higher put together for future pandemics.
Background of the Epidemic Diseases Act
The Epidemic Diseases Act became introduced in the course of British rule to combat the bubonic plague that turned into affecting the Bombay Presidency inside the Nineties. Its primary cause become to provide the government with the energy to take essential actions at some point of health emergencies.
Key Features of the Act
- Wide Enforcement: The Act is enforced throughout India to manage outbreaks of illnesses like swine flu, dengue, and cholera.
- Government Authority: It offers government the power to impose regulations and take emergency measures at some stage in epidemics.
Important Points:
Report Submission: The 22nd Law Commission of India submitted Report No. 286, titled “A Comprehensive Review of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897,” in response to challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Need for Updates: The report highlights the necessity to update legal frameworks to better manage future health crises.
Inadequacies of the Current Act:
- The Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 is deemed inadequate for addressing new and emerging infectious diseases.
- It needs to be strengthened to prepare for future pandemics.
Historical Context:
- The Act was introduced during British rule to combat the bubonic plague in the 1890s.
- It was designed to empower the government to take necessary actions during health emergencies.
Key Features of the Act:
- Wide Enforcement: The Act is enforced across India for managing outbreaks of diseases like swine flu, dengue, and cholera.
- Government Authority: It grants authorities the power to impose restrictions and take emergency measures during epidemics.
Why In News
The 22nd Law Commission of India has submitted Report No. 286 titled “A Comprehensive Review of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897” to the Government of India, emphasizing the urgent need to modernize the legal framework for better management of public health emergencies.
MCQs about Review of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897
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What is the title of Report No. 286 submitted by the 22nd Law Commission of India?
A. Review of Health Policies
B. A Comprehensive Review of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897
C. Assessment of Infectious Diseases
D. Modernizing Health Legislation
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What was the primary reason for introducing the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897?
A. To manage chronic diseases
B. To combat the bubonic plague
C. To regulate vaccination
D. To improve healthcare infrastructure
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why is the current Epidemic Diseases Act deemed inadequate?
A. It lacks enforcement power
B. It does not address modern infectious diseases
C. It is too complex
D. It is not widely known
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What key feature does the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 provide to the government?
A. The ability to conduct health surveys
B. The power to impose restrictions during epidemics
C. The authority to distribute vaccines
D. The mandate to educate the public on health
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