Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897

Why in news?

• It has been decided by the Centre that all States/Union Territories should be advised to invoke provisions of Section 2 of the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 so that all advisories being issued from time to time by the Ministry/State/UTs are enforceable.

About Epidemic Diseases Act

• The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 is a law which was first enacted to tackle bubonic plague in Bombay state in former British India.
• The law is meant for containment of epidemics by providing special powers that are required for the implementation of containment measures to control the spread of the disease.
• Section 2 of the Act says “Power to take special measures and prescribe regulations as to dangerous epidemic disease.—(1)When at any time the [State Government] is satisfied that [the State] or any part thereof is visited by, or threatened with, an outbreak of any dangerous epidemic disease, the [State Government], if [it] thinks that the ordinary provisions of the law for the time being in force are insufficient for the purpose, may take, or require or empower any person to take, such measures and, by public notice, prescribe such temporary regulations to be observed by the public or by any person or class of persons as [it]shall deem necessary to prevent the outbreak of such disease or the spread thereof, and may determine in what manner and by whom any expenses incurred (including compensation if any) shall be defrayed.
• Section 2A mentions the powers of the Central Government with respect to epidemic situation.
• Following the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic the Cabinet Secretary of India on 11 March 2020 announced that all states and UTs should invoke provisions of Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.

PRELIMS QUESTION:

Q. Regarding Epidemic Diseases Act of India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It was enacted following the outbreak of swine flu in 2009

2. It gives the government special powers that are required for the implementation of containment measures to control the spread of the disease

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to Prelims question