Daily News Analysis » February 2024 » 286th Law Commission Report on Epidemic Plan : 13 Feb, 2024

286th Law Commission Report on Epidemic Plan : 13 Feb, 2024

Key Recommendations: 

  • The Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 (EDA) is outdated and not equipped to handle modern infectious disease challenges, including the rapid spread due to globalization and connectivity.
  • There’s a lack of clear roles between the central, state, and local governments during an epidemic, leading to disjointed responses.
  • The EDA is prone to abuse, and there’s a call for either its amendment or the creation of a new law.

Proposed Changes:

  • Introduction of an Epidemic Plan and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to ensure a coordinated, efficient response to future epidemics or pandemics.

Epidemic Plan 

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

  • Aimed at ensuring a unified response to health emergencies
  • Detailed roles for central, state, and local authorities.
  • Developed in collaboration with all stakeholders
  • To include strategies on quarantine, isolation, lockdowns, privacy-conscious disease surveillance, distribution of medical supplies, and public communication, ensuring fundamental rights are respected.
  • Designed to provide a clear framework for action at various stages of an epidemic, from local outbreaks to inter-state spread and extreme threats.
  • Outlines specific measures and roles for authorities at each stage, ensuring a prompt and effective response to contain the spread of diseases.

About Law Commission:

  • A non-statutory body, periodically constituted by the Government of India, acting as an advisory body to the Ministry of Law and Justice.
  • functions include law research, review of existing laws, proposing reforms, and suggesting new legislation.