HIGHLIGHTS OF GOVERNMENT MEASURES TO TACKLE COVID19 CRISIS

During the recent #Covid19 #Pandemic, the #Government of India has taken several measures to control the spread of #Coronavirus in India (Pandemic). Various #Ministries have been taking the following #measures to contain the spread of the Pandemic and further, facilitate the services of uninterrupted supply of #essentialcommodities, and #medicalfacilities to health care centers and #hospitals, etc:

1- The Government has sanctioned Rs. 15,000 Crores towards development of COVID-19 related medical treatment and diagnostic facilities, procurement of essential medical equipment and drugs, prevention and vigilance over future disease outbreaks, setting up of laboratories, conducting research on pandemics, etc.

2- The Government has imposed a nation-wide lockdown, whereby, restrictions on travelling, socializing, attending courts and offices, meetings at public places, etc have been imposed.

3- Social/religious gathering/processions and circulation of objectionable contents on social media platforms have been prohibited and #socialdistancing has been implemented.

4- In view of the #lockdown condition in the country, all courts hearings have been postponed, except in cases of urgent and, bail matters, etc. The courts have also encouraged hearings in such matters through video conferencing. 

5- The State Governments have also been enabled and empowered to take measures, to tackle the spread of Coronavirus Disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.

6- The Government has granted exemption from levy of basic customs duty and health cess, on the import of ventilators, face masks, surgical masks, personal protection equipment (PPE) Covid-19 test kits, and any other inputs for manufacture of the said items. The said basic customs duty exemption shall be available till 30-09-2020.

7- Micro, small and medium enterprises (#MSMEs) are being encouraged to mass manufacture ventilators, masks, sanitizers, PPE, corona testing kits, etc, in conformity to medical standards. The Government has also planned to extend monetary support to such MSMEs.

8- Bulk buyers/retailers have now been enabled to purchase agricultural produce directly from farmers, in order to decongest markets and mandis.

9- Adequate amount of fertilizers are being made available to farmers for the upcoming Kharif season.

10- Railways are operating parcel trains to supply essential commodities across the country, which include perishable products, seeds, milk and dairy products, food grains, salt, sugar, edible oil, coal and petroleum products, etc. Railways are also providing cooked meals to the poor and needy, with the help of non-Government organizations (NGOs).

11- Public and private airline operators such as such as Air India, IAF, Pawan Hans, Indigo, etc are transporting medicines and essential commodities to all parts of the country.

12- The Indian Navy has supplied and distributed ration packets, consisting of food items, to the stranded migrant laborers.

13- Sanitation workers in various cities are disinfecting public places, solid-waste carrying vehicles, shops, check-posts, public utility buildings such as banks, hospitals, vegetable markets, etc.

14- Bharat Padhe Online Campaign has been launched for sourcing ideas from students, and teachers, etc, about ways to improve online education system in India.

15- The Government has launched ‘Integrated Government Online Training’ Programme for front line workers during this Pandemic, i.e. doctors, nurses, paramedics, police and volunteers, anganwadi workers, hygiene workers, etc.

16- Government and private hospitals and health care centers are allotting isolation wards and beds for treatment of Covid-19 affected patients.

17- The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed a digital IR thermometers and Oxygen Enrichment Units (OEUs) to test patients for Covid19.

18- The Government is also considering development of new treatments, therapies and vaccine technologies for treatment of Covid19 affected patients.

19- In addition to these Government measures, various private companies, entrepreneurs, individuals and start-ups are also coming forward to manufacture cost-effective masks, sanitizers and other equipments and also supply essential commodities to the needy.

Thus, the Government has been taking continuous measures to fight the war against Covid19 and implement a robust emergency response system to tackle this crisis.

Meanwhile, the Government believes that the country would soon have to fight another war on the economy front, as various start-ups, MSMEs, and other business enterprises have been badly affected due to loss of business and withdrawals of contracts, etc during the lockdown and Covid19 crisis. Thus, the Government is planning to consult with various industry experts and concerned Ministries before taking any steps to revive the economic conditions of the country.

Harini Daliparthy

Senior Legal Associate

The Indian Lawyer & Allied Services