Previous Year Question
Which of the following gave legal basis to extra-ordinary powers exercised by the Government of India during Lockdown?
Mental Health Care Act, 2017
Disaster Management Act, 2005
Enemy Property Act, 1968
Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897
Select the correct answer from the codes given below.
Codes:
1, 2 and 3
2, 3 and 4
2 and 4
1, 3 and 4
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is 2 and 4, i.e. the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
The principal central statutory basis for the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown was the Disaster Management Act, 2005. On 24 March 2020, the National Disaster Management Authority directed lockdown measures to contain COVID-19, while the National Executive Committee issued detailed directions under Section 10(2)(l) of the Act. Subsequent official orders expressly referred to these directions.
The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 provided an additional legal framework for special measures and regulations during a dangerous epidemic disease. Section 2 provides for special measures and regulations, while Section 2A confers specified powers on the Central Government.
The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 deals with mental healthcare and related rights, while the Enemy Property Act, 1968 concerns enemy property; neither provided the legal basis for the lockdown powers referred to in the question.