- As per 22nd LCI, existing legislation i.e. EDA 1897 does not comprehensively address the concerns pertaining to containment and management of future epidemics in country.
- About EDA, 1897
- It provides for prevention of spread of epidemic diseases. It granted extensive powers to State Governments to regulate, prevent and control epidemic disease.
- Epidemic Diseases Bill was introduced in Council of Governor-General of India in Calcutta by John Woodburn.
- Colonial government (Lord Elgin-II (1894 - 1899)) introduced EDA to tackle the epidemic of bubonic plague that had spread in erstwhile Bombay Presidency in 1896.
- In light of violence faced by healthcare workers during COVID-19, Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020 enacted which amended EDA, 1897.
- It provides for prevention of spread of epidemic diseases. It granted extensive powers to State Governments to regulate, prevent and control epidemic disease.
- Limitations of EDA, 1897
- Colonial era law incapable of handling the changing variants of communicable diseases.
- Does not define an 'epidemic' or an 'infectious' disease, and does not differentiate between an 'outbreak', 'epidemic' and 'pandemic'.
- Lack of decentralization and demarcation of power between Centre, State and local authorities.
- Lacks stipulated guidelines that will be followed pertaining to isolation and quarantine.
- Makes no mention for safe disposal of infectious medical waste and human corpses.
Recommendations
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