Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
Disaster and disaster management.
COVID-19: Centre- State relations
To effectively tide over the crisis created by COVID-19 pandemic there is a need for a robust Centre-State cooperation in sharing of best practices & resources.
Let us have a look at two States which have adopted good measures in their fight against Pandemic:
Kerala
Draft policy on dealing with COVID-19 pandemic was ready by January last week showing urgency of preparedness.
Declaration of COVID-19 as State disaster on February first week itself indicated a comprehensive response to be taken by authorities
Constitution of State response team and District response team– to ensure inter-ministry coordination, quick response & regular monitoring of the actions taken
Digital System to maintain data of all people under home quarantine (nearly 1.5 lakh people)
Everyday press conference by State Health Minister & CM to educate citizens and quell rumours
Shut down of anganwadis and schools was followed up by dry ration supplies to their homes.
Utilizing Community kitchens to provide food for the poor
Suspension of Biometric authentication at PDS shops as a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of community transmission.
Advance payment of social security pensions
Karnataka
Multi-pronged strategy that involves Technical strategy, Humanitarian approach and Economic assistance
Setting up of high-tech war rooms to exchange information & monitor the spread of disease
Tracking the mobile phones of quarantined people through their GPS location and tacking necessary action if they violate the norms
Corona Watch app – to inform people about places where infected persons had travelled – helps people to avoid such places
Dedicated Helpline, Telegram group and COVID Awareness and Response centre – to spread awareness, respond to people’s queries and fight the menace of rumours/fake news
‘Dasoha line’ (155214) – to handle the demand for food during this crisis
Construction labourers and migrant workers –One convention centre or wedding hall in every ward will be taken over by District administration to house them & prevent their migration to home towns
Way Ahead
Central government can adopt the best practices followed by some states and scale it up to national level
Consult States to ensure that supply chain, spread across multiple states, of essential commodities is not disrupted
Harvest time – may lead to price fall or wastage due to disruption caused by lockdown – States to be financially supported (agriculture is a State subject)
