Mapping and Analysis of India Government’s Response to COVID-19 by Rainbow Homes Program

Mapping and Analysis of India Government’s Response to COVID-19 A Report

Rainbow Homes Program

Knowledge Development and Dissemination Centre (KDDC) of Rainbow Homes Program have prepared this report for private circulation. It is not a priced document. Any part of this report may be reproduced for educational and other non-commercial purposes without written permission, but with appropriate acknowledgment of the source.

Credits Author : Team, Knowledge Development & Dissemination Centre (KDDC), Rainbow Homes Program – Association for Rural and Urban Needy (ARUN) Designed and Printed by : Print World, Delhi

Contact Knowledge Development & Dissemination Centre(KDDC), Rainbow Homes Program, H.No. 1-1-711/C/1, Opposite Vishnu Residency, Gandhi Nagar, Hyderabad- 500 080 Ph.: 040-27660017 | www.rainbowhome.in

Mapping & Analysis of India Government’s Responses to COVID-19

A Report by

Knowledge Development & Dissemination Centre (KDDC) Rainbow Homes Program, India

April 2021 1|Page

CONTENT Page no

Section 1 INTRODUCTION

Section 2 Section 3

Section 4

Section 5

Section 6

Section 7

Context: The unprecedented crisis Global Socio-Economic impact of COVID 19, as reported by UN COVID – 19 in India STUDY OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY MAJOR VULNERABILITIES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC Immediate Impacts of Lock Down in India: Few statistics Challenges in front of the Government POLICY MEASURES BY INDIA GOVERNMENT AT DIFFERENT LEVELS Interventions at the central government and State Government level I) Policy Interventions at Central levels II) Interventions by State Governments in the Study States III) Important Advisories/Circulars at Central and State levels ASSESSING GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSES: WHAT WENT WRONG? Unprepared decision on lock down and Haphazard travel restrictions Miniscule relief package for the hardest hit sections of population Inadequate stimulus package for MSME and Farmers Insufficient investment in health system, shortage of emergency supplies and delays in domestic production of testing kits Insufficient stimulus package for economic revival Caste, class and gender bias of policy responses POLICY MEASURES BY FEW OTHER COUNTRIES: A SHORT OVERVIEW Policy Measures taken in Selected Countries- A brief Increased social assistance to support vulnerable section of population Pro-poor measures providing direct benefits in terms of food and in-kind support Work-life balance to boost productivity and rebuild economy Measures for robust health care system International strategies to invoke Digital Technologies in the public-health responses International solidarity to fight against Pandemic Responses by United Nations System WHAT MEASURES INDIA NEEDS TO HANDLE FUTURE PANDEMIC: FEW RECOMMENDATIONS Comprehensive strengthening of public health system and stepping up of investment in public health Reviving Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) and promotion of monthly basic income support Shielding poor by taxing rich Provision of food security through universalization of PDS and designing of safety-net schemes Budget for NREGA not to be reduced

4 4 6 6 8 10 11 12 14 15 15 22 33 40 40 41 42 43 44 44 46 47 49 50 50 51 51 52 52 54 54 55 56 57 59

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Involving Community Based Organizations/Non Government Organizations in reaching economically vulnerable Section 8 ANNEXURES Annexure 1: Fiscal and Monitory Responses Announced by Central Governments Annexure 2: Fiscal and Monitory Responses Announced by State Governments 2.1 Government of Andhra Pradesh 2.2 Government of Karnataka 2.3 Government of Maharashtra 2.4 Government of Telangana 2.5 Government of Tamilnadu 2.6 Government of Bihar 2.7 Government of Jharkhand 2.8 Government of Delhi 2.9 Government of West Bengal Section 9 REFERENCES

59 61 62 111 111 114 123 130 134 140 144 148 156 160

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1. INTRODUCTION Context: The unprecedented crisis The COVID-19 pandemic has created one of the worst economic and human crisis since the Second World War. Many of the economies in the Asia and Pacific region have faced the economic impact of local lockdown measures combined with a global economic slowdown. As per a study (Rhee, 2020), though the unprecedented lock down taken across the regions and the world has been relatively successful in slowing the spread of the virus in some countries but are set to result in the slowest growth in the region since the 1960s. The first phase of the crisis – which reached its peak in the second quarter of 2020 – can be characterised as a moment where the vast majority of countries in the region imposed stringent lockdown and social distancing measures putting their economies on life support while they sought to slow the spread of the virus. Analysis by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) show that many of economies in the Asia and Pacific region faced impact of global economic slowdown that pushed the substantial numbers of households in the region into poverty, with one analysis finding that the shortterm impact could represent a reversal of approximately a decade in the world’s progress in reducing poverty. (H. Sumner and O.-Juarez, 2020). According to a report by ILO, the pandemic would affect the whole range of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets, including those relating to human capital development, food security, decent work, wider health outcomes and gender equality. The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time with rapid increase in numbers of infections and the severity of the virus. At the time of writing, almost three million people across the world have lost their lives to the virus and even after a year of social distancing measures, devastating lockdowns and the rolling out of several vaccines, millions continue to suffer from fear of contracting the virus or from fear of being unable to sustain themselves due to the economic downturn caused in the wake of this deadly virus.1 While the crisis has affected whole societies, some people have been far more affected than others. The hardest hit are often individuals and families that were already struggling before the crisis, highlighting the significant pre-existing inequalities in the countries, especially lowincome and middle-income countries. The hardest hit by COVID-19 in countries, especially in developing countries has been, -

People working in informal sectors: While the pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions, lock down impacted all groups of people in different sectors, the most vulnerable groups to contract the virus have been the informal sector workers given

Coping with COVID-A Handbook prepared by Rainbow Homes Program

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their limited employment protection and essential frontline workers operating public transports. -

Below poverty line population: People living in poverty before the crisis are pushed more towards impoverishment and face difficulties in maintaining their livelihoods due to decreased economic opportunities and contracted labour demand.

Children and young persons: Children and young people, particularly those belonging to SCs, STs and children of migrant workers are facing disruption to education for closure in schools and institutions, employment and income losses due to decreased job opportunities. In terms of health, children with poorer immunity due to nutritional deficiencies are at a greater risk of getting infected with COVID-19 and developing more severe infection. Research shows that beside the children facing violence at home due to school closures, confinement measures, and added family stress related to job loss, other groups such as children in crowded settings and children living or working on the streets are particularly vulnerable to violence and abuse with the arrival of COVID 19 pandemic.2

Elderly persons: Older persons face economic and psychological consequences of lock down measures. These people are at a greater risk of hunger, poverty, discrimination and isolation during the crisis time.

Persons with disabilities: People with disabilities already living in poverty before the crisis face particularly acute barriers in maintaining their livelihoods. Impairment in nutritional status, consequent to quantitative and qualitative inadequacy of the diet worsen some of the disabilities among these people.

Religious and Racial Minorities: Racial and religious minorities in the entire world due to poverty, living conditions that are not conducive to social distancing and greater incidence of co-morbidities in them.3 Similar is the case with India with respect to Scheduled caste and Scheduled caste who have been the front line workers without much protective measures.

Migrant workers: With Food insecurity, lay-off, increased discrimination, reduction or non-payment of wages, inadequate living conditions, increased restrictions on movements, being stigmatised as carriers of virus and limited access to public services, migrant workers are among the most vulnerable to the impact of the crisis.

Maalla M’jid, N. Hidden scars: the impact of violence and the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s mental health. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 14, 33 (2020). 3

Kirby, Tony (2020): "Evidence mounts on the disproportionate effect of COVID19 on Ethnic Minorities", The Lancet, 8 May.

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Transgender community and Sex workers: Transgender people who mostly depend on begging have lost their livelihood.4 Sex workers have been pushed further towards the margins and are now solely dependent on charity.5

Global Socio-Economic impact of COVID 19, as reported by UN ► Negative GDP Growth: 170 countries are projected to experience negative GDP per capita growth, compared to their 2019 averages. (ILO Monitor 5th Edition, June 2020 Update) ► Increased Unemployment: Global working-hour losses are projected at 14% in Q2 of 2020, equivalent to nearly 500 million full-time jobs. Lower-middle-income countries are expected to be the hardest hit, with a decline of 16.1%. (ILO Monitor 5th Edition, June 2020 Update) ► Government Debt & Deficits: Global public debt is expected to reach an all-time high in 202021, exceeding 101% of GDP, 19 percentage points higher than 2019. (IMF WEO, June 2020 Update)

► Increased global poverty: COVID-19 is estimated to push between 70 to 100 million into extreme poverty. (World Bank GEP, June 2020)

► Increased food insecurity: The number of people in food crises is expected to double, with about 270 million people in low- and middle-income countries expected to face acute food insecurity by the end of 2020. (WFP) ► School Closures & Meals: As of September 2020, an estimated 827 million learners, or 47% of the total enrolled, are affected by school closures. As a result, 346 million children are estimated to be missing school meals, 47% of which are girls. (UNESCO / WFP) ► Refugees at Risk: As of mid-August, there were over 12,000 reported COVID-19 cases and 125 deaths of refugees, asylum seekers and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across 86 countries. (UNHCR)

COVID – 19 in India From the first case reported in India in on 30 January 2020, India has the second highest numbers of confirmed cases and death due to COVID after United States of America.6 The number of per day cases peaked in mid-September with over 90,000 cases being reported every day and fallen to below 40,000 in December 2020. While the countries across the Globe started battling second-wave of COVID-19 from October 2020 and started imposing lock down and measures to content the virus, India started opening up the economies and entering recovery phase with the vaccination drive. The second wave emerged in India from Mid February 2021 along with the sharp rise in the rate of infections in certain states despite assurance from various experts that India would not experience the second wave. India's second wave is being fuelled by people being less cautious - and mixed messaging by the government. 4

Centre for Budget Governance and Accountability (CBGA). (2020). Numbers on the Edge: Assessing India’s Fiscal Response to Covid-19. New Delhi: CBGA. 5 Agrawal, Sneha (2020): "Plea in Delhi HC over plight of sex workers and transgender community during lockdown", Mirror Now News, 10 May. 6 https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/countries-where-coronavirus-has-spread/

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The third national sero-survey, conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) between December 17, 2020, and January 8, 2021, revealed that 21.4 per cent of the population had developed antibodies to COVID-19, indicating that a large section was still vulnerable to the virus. This, in itself, is a significant jump from the results of the second serosurvey (conducted between August 17 and September 22) that showed that 7.1 per cent of the population had been exposed to the virus. In sheer numbers, this meant that the number of Indians who were infected had risen from 74.3 million to 225 million or 22.5 crore. The third survey clearly showed that at least twice the number of people had been infected. The trend of a rise in infections, which had been observed as early as October in at least five States—Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal—and four Union Territories, continues. At present, as many as eight States—Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh—show an upward trajectory in the number of daily new cases.7 Considering the gravity of the situation. Experts believe that a return to normal life is set to be gradual because of significant outbreaks in many of the states and continued risk of new outbreaks in the future. The country will be affected by the more significant global economic downturn. After witnessing its worst phase in four decades during the first wave of Covid-19 last year, the Indian economy had just started to find its feet this year. However, due to the fresh pandemic second wave with rapid rise in cases in Maharashtra, Punjab,Kerala, Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Gujarat etc., restrictions are being imposed. If this trend proliferates, it would temper the extent of the base effect-led recovery that is anticipated in the immediate term, and may reignite supply-side disruptions. Uncertainty regarding the economic outlook will persist over the next few months, until the vaccines become available in India for all adults. - As observed by credit rating agency ICRA in a March 2021 report8

“Is India on the verge of a second COVID wave?”; T.K. RAJALAKSHMI; March 26, 2021 https://scroll.in/article/991159/indias-economic-recovery-was-already-bumpy-the-second-wave-of-covid-19-could-derailit 8

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2. STUDY OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY With the outbreak of COVID, as the spread increased and more information about the virus was uncovered, both the central government and state governments individually announced several policy decisions to contain it. Further, measures were also announced to support citizens and businesses who were affected by such containment measures. At this end, the study looked at the interventions at the levels of union government as well as in selected states where Rainbow Homes Program is running viz., West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Jharkhand and Delhi. The key objectives of this report is to comprehensively map the interventions of different Departments – issuing of Government Orders, Advisories, Circulars, Directives, Press Releases and Guidelines- in relation to curbing the impact of the pandemic. The states were purposefully selected to ensure diversity of experiences, approaches and interventions by different state governments. However, point to be noted that this report does not aim to compare interventions across the study states, rather documents the details of major Government orders, Supreme Court Directions, advisories, memorandums, circulars, press releases, standard operation procedures (SOP) and letters issued by different departments etc. for major categories. Methodologically, this document is prepared from secondary research and literature reviews only by looking at different circulars, Standard Operative Procedures and advisories issued by different departments as well as orders, court orders, directives, notifications and press releases issued by the governments and departments at national and state levels from time to time since March 2020. Apart from that court orders released by High Court or Supreme Court have been documented. Key government departments of direct relevance to this study mainly include, i) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, ii) Revenue Department, iii) Labour, iv) Ministry of School, Higher, Technical education, v) Ministry of women and child development, vi) Department of Food and Civil Supplies, vii) Department General of Information and Public Relations and viii) Ministry of Home Affairs. The report documents fiscal and monitory policy measures on food, education, nutrition, income, health, migrants and other relief by Union and Few State Governments to fight the COVID 19 pandemic until September 2020. It captures responses of central government and government in eight sample mentioned above focusing on interventions having direct implications for poor and marginalised sections of the population including children. Apart 8|Page

from that, the report captures the policy measures adopted by few selected countries to fight against pandemic and their best practices dealing with the health aspects of the crisis, such as social distancing, testing of people with symptoms, travel restrictions and lock down measures. The report can be useful for the policymakers to device policy alternatives for any future pandemic. It can also be useful for the civil society organizations focusing on implications of policy measures for disadvantaged sections of population and those engaging with policy responses for disaster management.

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3. MAJOR VULNERABILITIES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC Vulnerability refers to the condition where the risk to exposure of community increase toward the hazard.9 According to Bizimana 2015 ‘Vulnerability to natural hazards refers to the conditions determined by physical, social, economic, and environmental factors that increase the susceptibility of a community to hazards’. Study suggests that to develop strategies against vulnerability needs knowledge regarding the social, economic, and political factors that trigger the vulnerability and the factors helps to built up adaptive capacity.10 As articulated in The Lancet,14 vulnerability in the present context is a dynamic concept—a person or a group might not be vulnerable at the beginning of the pandemic, but could subsequently become vulnerable depending on the government response. Beyond the groups who are epidemiologically vulnerable to COVID-19 (eg, older people and individuals with comorbidities), there might be people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds who are vulnerable as they struggle to cope with the crisis in various ways—financially, mentally, or even physically.11 COVID-19 has brought a threatening challenge to the Indian society and economy. The major challenge is to provide basics medical facilities to the huge numbers of incoming infected people if, the community spread takes place in the vast territory. To contain the spread of COVID-19, nation-wide lock down and subsequent extension of lock down were announced in India since March 22, 2020. The nation-wide stay-at-home order along with travel bans, closer of markets and industries have disproportionately affected millions of poor people in the country who found themselves in dire hunger for loosing wages and livelihoods. However, as identified by experts12, the economic shutdown is not the permanent solution from this pandemic because this emergency demand more constructive socio-economic and public health reforms form a political and apolitical organization. Socio economic parameters have great influences on vulnerabilities, as adverse socio economic condition increase the inability to withstand the effect of a hostile situation, particularly in developing countries like India.13

Holand I.S., Lujala P., Rod J.K. Social vulnerability assessment for Norway: a quantitative approach. Aksha S.K., Juran L., Resler L.M., Zhang Y. An analysis of social vulnerability to natural hazards in Nepal using a modified social vulnerability 11 The Lancet Redefining vulnerability in the era of COVID-19. Lancet. 2020; 3951089 12 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7470821/#bib29 13 Acharya R., Porwal A. A vulnerability index for the management of and response to the COVID-19 epidemic in India: an ecological study. Lancet Glob Heal. 2020 10

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Immediate Impacts of Lock Down in India: Few statistics ► The COVID-19 virus has infected 151 lakh people in India so far and killed over 1.8 lakh (until (April, 2021)14 ► India has one government hospital bed for every 2000 persons and only 2.3 critical care beds per 1,00,000 persons15. Studies predicted high deficits of hospital beds and ventilators for COVID 19 patients if cases increase continuously.16 ► The Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy (CMIE) reported that the lockdown has resulted in a job loss for 122 million people in India, causing the unemployment rate to rise to 27.11 per cent in April 2020 as against 6.7 percent before lock down. The survey reported job loss of 91.3 million, including daily wage workers and those working with small traders, 18.2million employment loss of entrepreneurs, and 17.8 million among salaried class in April 2020.17 ► The International Labour Organisation (ILO) reported with the wake of COVID 19 in 2020 that the pandemic affected 2.7 billion workers globally due to lockdowns. According to this report, in India, with a share of almost 90 per cent of people working in the informal economy, about 400 million workers or 40 crore in the informal economy are at risk of falling deeper into poverty during the crisis.18 ► Social distancing measures and national lock down resulted in 135 million people across the world already facing food shortages.19 ► According to some report, over 300 people had lost their lives owing to starvation, exhaustion, suicide, accidents and other non-virus related reasons during lock down period in India.20 ► Even though the government announced a doubling of Public Distribution System (PDS), poor households in many states struggled to get their share. For example, in Jharkhand, an estimated 7 lakh households had pending ration card applications, rendering of them ineligible for PDS.21

https://news.google.com/covid19/map?hl=en-IN&mid=%2Fm%2F02j71&gl=IN&ceid=IN%3Aen Shetty, Devi (2020): "How MCI can save the country: Tough Covid-19 battle can only be won by our young doctors and nurses. We need many more of them" , Times of India, 26th March. 16 Singh, Prachi et al. (2020): "COVID-19 | Is India's health infrastructure equipped to handle an epidemic?", Brookings, 24 March. 17 Nanda, Prasant K (2020): "India's unemployment rate climbs to 27.1%, 121.5mn out of work: CMIE", Livemint, 5th May. 18 “40 crore Indian workers may sink into poverty due to COVID-19: ILO”; https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/40-crore-indian-workers-may-sink-into-poverty-due-to-covid19-ilo/75051095 19 Dahir, Abdi (2020): "'Instead of COVID-19, the Hunger Will Kill Us.' A Global Food Crisis Looms", The New York Times, 13 May. 20 “Coronavirus lockdown | Activists say over 300 deaths related to lockdown troubles”; https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/activists-say-over-300-deaths-related-to-lockdowntroubles/article31491525.ece 21 Dreze, Jean (2020): "Excess stocks of the Food Corporation of India must be released to the poor", Indian Express, 9 April 15

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► In a survey22 of over 11,000 migrant workers in April, more than three quarters reported that they would run out of food in two days. Of them, 98 per cent had not received cash relief from the government, 96 per cent had not received government rations, while 70 per cent had not received any cooked food. ► Maintenance of recommended health hygiene to contain the virus required adequate access to water and soap. In India, maintaining required hygiene practice was difficult with one in every five households having access to piped water connections23. ► Sanitation workers and the 40 lakh waste pickers in the informal sector were at a high, direct risk of getting infected with COVID-19 as a result of handling unmarked contaminated waste and in absence of insufficient gloves, masks and PPEs for sanitation workers. ► Closure of all educational institutes disproportionately affected children who already face barriers in accessing education, such as, children in remote locations and children of migrant workers. Study shows that 32 crore learners, 86 per cent of whom were the enrolled children in primary and secondary schools24 got affected due to closure of schools. Though the offline classrooms got switched into online classrooms, only 8 per cent of the households with members aged between five and 24 have a computer with internet connection.25 ► As reported by the National Commission for Women (NCW), 239 cases of domestic violence came to NCW during initial one month of lock down, mainly through email and a dedicated WhatsApp number.26

Challenges in front of the Government ► The situation of India is more critical for its huge population, poor infrastructure, and complex socio-economic structure27, as well as challenges in practicing social distancing, densely populated urban areas, non-universal access to water and soap for handwashing28, where self-isolation, social distancing, are the key controlling factors to neutralize the impact of disease. Apart from that challenges such as, a large number of people with chronic morbidities, a substantial proportion of the population living 22

“21 Days and Counting: Covid-19 Lockdown, Migrant Workers, And The Inadequacy of Welfare Measures in India”, a Survey report released by SWAN (Stranded Workers Action Network) in April 2020 23 Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India (2019): "Drinking Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Housing Condition in India", NSS Report No. 584, NSS 76th Round, July -December 2018. 24 UNESCO (2020): "COVID-19 Impact on Education” 25 Kundu, Protiva (2020): "Indian education can't go online - only 8% of homes with young members have computer with net link", Scroll, 5 May. 26 Shemin, Joy (2020): "COVID-19 Crisis: No lockdown for domestic violence", Deccan Herald, 26 April. 27 Hati K.K., Majumder R. 2013. Health Infrastructure, Health Outcome and Economic Wellbeing: A District Level Study in India. 28 Khan MI Abraham A No ‘room’ for social distancing: a look at India's housing and sanitation conditions. Economic & Political Weekly. 2020

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below the poverty line29 made the situation more critical in India to contain the outbreak. ► Secondly, inter-state migration of labour in the lockdown period has brought challenges to control community spread. Arrangement of quarantine for a huge number of populations was the major challenge for the government, which was why the concept of home quarantine was promoted for the migrant labours. ► Thirdly, poor public health infrastructure is the main limitation and strategic disadvantage against pandemic, it increases the chances of the risk of exposure to vulnerability. National Health family survey (NHFS- 4) shows that only 80% population of Kerala have the accessibility of health care facilities within 5 km but the situation is very worst for the state like Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh. ► Fourthly, studies30 suggest that post epidemic management policy are given more priority then pre-epidemic management and consequently, mass level public health infrastructure improvement is given less importance in developing countries.

Government of India; Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. State-wise percentage of population below poverty line by social groups, 2004–05. 30 Buheji M., Cunha C., Beka G., Mavrić B. The extent of COVID-19 pandemic socio-economic impact on global poverty. A Global Integrative Multidisciplinary

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4. POLICY MEASURES BY INDIA GOVERNMENT AT DIFFERENT LEVELS COVID-19 in India has been handled with legal and constitutional institutions of the country. To control the epidemic, the Indian Government has enacted the National Disaster Management Act (2005), equating the COVID-19 epidemic to a national disaster, laying down the policies, plans, and guidelines for management of the epidemic and ensuring a timely and effective response to the disaster. The National Disaster Management Act (NDMA), 2005 is the legal framework within which activities to contain COVID-19 are being carried out by the Union and State governments. The Central Government, irrespective of any law in force can issue any directions to any authority anywhere in India to facilitate or assist in the disaster management and any such directions issued by Central Government and NDMA must necessarily be followed the Union Ministries, State Governments and State Disaster Management Authorities. The national lockdown was imposed under NDMA– 2005, as per Order dated 24-03-2020 of NDMA ‘to take measures for ensuring social distancing so as to prevent the spread of COVID 19’ (S 6(2)(i)).31 Additional guidelines were issued on the same day by the Ministry of Home Affairs, being the Ministry having administrative control of disaster management (S. 10(2)(l)). To alleviate social sufferings, NDMA/SDMA are mandated to provide ‘minimum standard of relief’ to disaster affected persons (Ss 12 and 19).32 State governments, in addition to DM Act, have used the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897and the various state specific Public Health Acts (eg: Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939) to deal with the crisis. Taking cue from the ‘Containment Plan for Large Outbreaks (COVID 19)’ issued by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare which is the Nodal Ministry for biological disaster, several states have issued COVID specific Regulations.33 Some of the key aspects covered in the guidelines, advisories, orders, notifications and circulars at both Union and State Government levels are: -

Supply of foodgrains including PDS Food and shelters for affected populations Measures for the migrant- stranded persons Cash relief/ cash transfers Income supports including NREGA

31“COVID-19

and the ambit of the Disaster Management Act “; The Week; By M.P. Ram Mohan, Jacob P. Alex April 26, 2020 17:11 IST 32 ibid 33 ibid

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Insurance for employees Protective measures for Health Workers Measures to ensure Child nutrition: implementation of MDM and Anganwadi Services State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF) and PM care funds to the states Policy measures on Education Policy measures on Health Measures for construction workers/ people in informal sector Measures towards child protection

Interventions at the central government and State Government level I)

Policy Interventions at Central levels

This section documents policy measures related food, child nutrition, education, child protection, income relief, health measures, measures for poor, women, elderly and migrants etc. by Union Governments34 to fight the COVID 19 pandemic until September 2020. It captures responses of central government and government in eight sample mentioned above focusing on interventions having direct implications for poor and marginalised sections of the population including children.

Supply of Food Grains including PDS/ Food and shelters for affected populations -

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & public distribution, under the pro-poor initiatives announced under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package due to COVID -19 situation, ordered for additional foodgrain @ 5kg/person/month to be provided for free of cost for 3 months i.e. between April - June 2020 to all beneficiaries covered under TPDS as per provisions of NFSA. Finance Minister ordered soon after first lock down in March that 80 cr poor people will get over and above the 5 kgs of wheat/rice they already get. Another 5 kgs will be for free per month, for the next 3 months and 1 kg of pulses (acc. regional preferences) per household will be provided for free for the next three months, in addition to the ration received by them under the National Food Security Act. Apart from that the Finance Minister ordered Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders to be provided to 8.3 crore (83 million) BPL families across the country for three months.

Measures are collected and collated from different sources such as, COVID-19 Government Order Tracker (https://covidindia.in/#) and https://www.prsindia.org/, government websites on circulars, guidelines, SOPs as well as from news paper reports.

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Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment released order in March to start Feeding Centers by 10 internally identified Municipal Corporations for providing cooked food for persons engaged in beggary. Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs ordered provision of free food to homeless in NULM shelters allocating amount upto ₹100/- per homeless person per day from Mission funds (central & state) where food to be provided by Shelter Management Agencies. The order also direct about maintaining cleanliness, provisions for sanitizers, handwash, masks, etc.in those shelters NITI Ayog issued advisory to all Chief Secreteraries of all states/UTs as well as to all CSOs and NGOs including those registered on NITI Aayog Darpan Portal/FCRI regarding obtaining foodgrains to ensure no one in the country remains hungry. The letter includes adequate financial mechanisms to ensure all the poor persons - including migrants, farmers, disabled, construction workers, widows and senior citizens do not suffer the lack of food and shelter. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution vide its letter dated 08.04.2020 to FCI Headquarters recommended charitable/non-governmental organizations running relief camps/providing food to needy people may be provided foodgrain(both wheat and rice) without the need for registration/empanelment with FCI. According to the advisory by NHRC in the month of September 2020, coverage of the public distribution system to be increased including provision of nutritious food such as pulses, edible oils, eggs and sugar to cover at least 67% of the population, where people can be given temporary ration cards with minimal documentary such as relaxation in mandatory Adhaar card. The advisory also talked about providing support to the states by providing subsidised grain to run community kitchens/feeding centres.

Measures for Migrant and Stranded persons: Ensuring Food & Shelter, Income supports -

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, in the month of May, issued memorandum that Stranded Migrants, not covered by the National Food Security Act or State Scheme PDS will be given 5 kg of foodgrains per month free of cost for two months, that is, May and June. Department of Health and Family Welfare ordered in first week of April to provide relief camps /shelter homes with adequate medical facilities besides proper arrangements for food, clean drinking water and sanitation for the migrant workers. On the other hand, Ministry of Home Affairs issued order to provide adequate arrangement of food and shelter for migrant workers stranded due to lockdown. NITI Ayog issued directive in March to help administration set up community kitchens and shelters for migrants and homeless persons. Accordingly Central Government requested all State Governments to set up relief camps for migrant workers/pilgrims who are

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returning to their domicile states and requested NGOs to aware migrants about the location of the camps, relief packages provided by government under PMGKY. Ministry of Home Affairs ordered non-eviction of migrant workers and students by landlords; no demand of rent for one month and arrangement of adequate temporary shelters for the poor and needy including migrant labourers with lockdown announcement. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provided guidelines for Migrant workers who are still in the cities of their local residence or have reached their destinations, such as, referring to designated COVID-19 treatment hospital for isolation for labourers showing symptoms; shifting of migrants above 60 years or migrants with co-morbidity to facility quarantine and establishment of quarantine centre for migrant workers who are on their way. Supreme Court of India ordered to provide Relief camps /shelter homes with adequate medical facilities, food, clean drinking water and sanitation for migrants. The order also stated that Governments/union Territories should endeavour to engage volunteers along with the police to supervise the welfare activities of the migrants. Ministry of Home Affairs in last week of April released order allowing inter-state movement through road for Migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons who are stranded at different places in the country. The order instructed nodal authorities to maintain safety protocols, deciding on institutional or home quarantine for the migrants based on health screening on arrival to destination cities. In the month of May, with reference to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ order on movement of migrant workers and stranded persons, Indian Railways started special "Shramik Trains" for the movement of migrant labourers, students, pilgrims and other stranded persons, with guidelines to maintain social distancing, health screening, quarantine on arriving destinations and providing food and water by the originating state. Alongside, Home Secretary gave directive to ensure migrant workers do not resort to walking on roads and railway tracks. Upon finding migrants in such condition, they are to be counselled, provided food and water and facilitate them to special trains to their native place. With respect to Maharashtra, where many migrant workers were stranded, Supreme Court of India provided court order to take a more vigilant and concentrated effort in identifying such workers and arrange return to their natuve places with additional special trains, arrange employment opportunities for such workers in native states, operate help desk at block and district level to provide all information regarding schemes of the Government to extend helping hand to migrant labourers to identify avenues of employment under Government schemes. Directorate General of Health Services (Emergency Medical Relief Division) issued guideline 'Preparedness and response to Covid-19 in Urban Settlements' to identify informal settlements with inadequate housing and poor living conditions of migrants and to provide institutional measure such as, surveillance, hospital preparedness, quarantine facilities, implementation of containment plan, perimeter control, etc. 17 | P a g e

Measures for organised sector workers -

Government of India will pay the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution, both for employer and employee's parts, i.e. 24 per cent contribution per month for next 3 months for all establishments with upto 100 employees with 90 per cent being those earning less than Rs. 15,000 per month (80 lakh employees of 4 lakh firms). EPFO Scheme Regulation will be amended to allow workers to draw non-refundable advance of 75% of amount standing or 3 months of wages whichever is lower. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions shared memorandum mentioning that commuted Leave without production of medical certificate will be granted to those officials who are above 50 years of age and have underlying conditions of Diabetes, Respiratory problems, Renal diseases and other life threatening illness for a period.

Cash transfers/ Income support including NREGA -

Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, Finance Minister ordered estimated ₹2000 per worker extra – work to be allocated for NREGA farm workers with increased from ₹182/- to ₹202/- to benefit 5 crore families. An amount of Rs. 4,431 crores of pending wage liabilities to States has been released. Ex-gratia payment of ₹500/- per month, for three months (total 1500 per woman) to 20 crore (200 million) women who have Jan Dhan bank accounts. About 63 lakhs Self Help Groups (SHGs) belonging to 6.85 crore households will get collateral free credit of Rs 20 lakhs. Ministry of Finance announced an advance payment of ₹2000/- to be made to 7.3 crore (73 million) farmers across India in April 2020. Finance Ministry announced Free cylinders for 3 months for women and householders under ujjwala scheme. Ex gratia of ₹1000/- for poor widows, pensioners (<60 years) and disabled through two instalments over 3 months covering 3 crore of beneficiaries. Additional incentives of Rs. 1000 per month for six months (Jan-June, 2020) have been announced for the ASHA workers for participating in combating COVID-19, using National Health Mission fund.

Measures for construction workers/ people in informal sector -

Ministry of Labour and Employment shared advisory to State Governments to utilise CESS funds for construction workers. The cess fund collected by the Labour Welfare Boards under the BOCW Cess Act to be transferred to the accounts of construction labourers through DBT.

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Directions by Finance Minister to state Governments to support the registered 5.3 crore building & construction workers allocating ₹31000 crore welfare fund. NHRC gave advisory that State labour welfare boards must use the building cess fund for health, nutrition and care for children of all construction workers including those who are not registered with the state labour welfare Board. A part of the fund should be allocated to running of crèches for children and women construction workers till they are able to join economic activities. Rs10,000 crore under the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Yojana will boost rural employment in the informal sector and encourage the growth of the rural economy

Protective measures for Health Workers -

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19” to provide insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh for 90 days to a total of around 22.12 lakh public healthcare providers who may have to be in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients. Finance Ministry announced Rs.50 lakh per person as medical insurance cover for ASHA, paramedics, nurses, doctors. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued advisory for managing Health care workers working in COVID and Non-COVID areas of the hospital, to provide guidance on preventive measures, isolation and quarantine of health care functionaries. As per the advisory, Healthcare workers in different settings of hospitals shall use PPEs , undergo undergone training on Infection Prevention and Control, provided with chemo-prophylaxis under medical supervision, posting pregnant/lactating mothers and immuno-compromised healthcare workers in non-Covid areas only, regular quarantine of healthcare workers after performing duty in COVID-19 areas.

Policy measures on Health -

In response to a petition against private Labs charging Rs.4500 screening and confirmation test of COVID-19, the Supreme Court of India issued order that i) Tests relating to Covid19 will be free of cost whether in Government or private labs. ii) Tests relating to COVID19 must be carried out in NABL accredited Labs or any agencies approved by WHO or ICMR. To address public grievances regarding black marketing and differential higher prices of N-95 masks in the country, Ministry of Chemicals & fertilizers issued memorandum to all states/UT governments to ensure surgical and protective Masks, Hand sanitizers and gloves do not exceed the MRP printed on the packs and to ensure uninterrupted supply of N-95 for frontline health workers. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken measure to provide psychosocial support to children, adult, women and elderly by setting up 24/7 helpline, issuing guidelines / 19 | P a g e

advisories on management of mental health issues, catering to different segments of the society and continuing Advocacy through various media platforms in the form of creative and audio-visual materials on managing stress and anxiety, and promoting an environment of support and care for all.

PM care funds and relief from PMO to the states -

PM CARES Fund Trust has allocated Rs. 2000 crore for supply of 50000 ‘Made-in-India’ ventilators to government run COVID hospitals in all States/UTs. Further, a sum of Rs. 1000 crore has been allocated for the welfare of migrant labourers. An amount of Rs. 12,390 crore has been released to eligible 14 States under Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grants. Prime Minister Office issued order in the month of June on “One Nation, One Ration Card Scheme” to benefit the poor; extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana till November, 2020; deposition of Rs. 31, 000 crore into jan dhan accounts of 20 crore poor families in the past three months. Farmers currently receive INR 6,000/- every year through the PM-KISAN scheme (minimum income support scheme) in three equal instalments. The government will now be giving the first instalment upfront for fiscal year starting April 2020. About 86.9 million farmers are expected to benefit from this immediately. Home Ministry has approved the release of Rs. 11,092 crores under State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF) to all states.

Measures to ensure Child nutrition: implementation of MDM and Anganwadi Services -

NHRC issued advisory to recognize ICDS as an essential service and reopen aanganwadi centres to provide immunisation, cooked meals, nutrition counselling, dry rations to children under 3 years of age etc. The advisory also instruct to maintain data of migrant families and children in the age group of 13-18 years who would need to be enrolled in AWC post lockdown; reopen day care facility under national crèche scheme with proper monitoring of safety guidelines; include in the beneficiary list the women and children of migrated families or families with the loss of livelihood Ministry of Women and Child Development instructed for delivery of food and supplementary nutrition to the beneficiaries as a single instalment to avoid repeated contact during closures of Anganwadi Centres. NHRC issued advisory to all states to ensure sufficient quantity of dry rations or hot cooked meal to children including children who have migrated to villages with their parents and are not a part of the school. Also to provide mid-day meals to children who usually reside in social welfare hostels, tribal welfare hostels etc. but are now at home. The cooking cost of Mid-Day Meals is to be increased by 10.99 per cent over and above the existing cooking cost under National Programme of Mid -Day Meals in schools w.e.f.

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1st April, 2020 for the year 2020-21. The revised cooking cost per child per day stand at at Rs. 4.97 and Rs. 7.45 for primary and upper primary school students, respectively.

Measures for Education -

National Institute of Open Schooling issued notifications on cancellation of Secondary and senior secondary course and that new assessment scheme would be used for the purpose of evaluation such as, assessment based on past performances in subject wise appearance or past performances of last three public examinations or providing candidates options of appearing in the next public examination/ on demand examination whenever the situation improves. Home Secretary issued letter to states and UTs to have consultations at the institution level, with parents and other stakeholders regarding re-opening of education institutions. Ministry of Home Affairs decided to grant exemption from the lockdown measures to conduct Board exams for class X and XII. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights ( NCPCR) provided guidelines that all training, educational, coaching institutions shall remain closed but maintain the academic schedule by conducting virtual classroom sessions while maintaining required cyber safety protocols.

Policy Measures for Child Protection -

Taking suo moto cognizance of the issue involving protection of children who fall within the ambit of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 from the spread of Coronavirus, the Supreme Court of India issue directions to Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards, Government Department and Child Care Institutions to follow preventive and responsive measures for wellbeing of children under in different institutions or open shelters. CWCs are instructed to ensure safety of children residing in the Children’s Homes, SAAs, and Open Shelters by monitoring the institutions regularly through video conferencing, WhatsApp and telephonically. Juvenile Justice Boards are directed to take measures to prevent children residing in Observation Homes, Special Homes and Places of Safety from risk of harm, ensure speedy disposal of cases and effective counselling services. The relevant government departments were urged to place effective monitoring system to prevent violence, abuse, and neglect, including genderbased violence, which may be exacerbated in contexts of stress produced by lockdown; to ensure adequate budgetary allocation to meet the cost of effective pandemic management and to ensure availability of adequate food, drinking water, good quality face masks, soap, disinfectants etc to these institutions. CCIs were given directions to enforce regular hand washing with safe water and soap, alcohol rub/hand sanitizer or chlorine solution, provide appropriate water, sanitation, disinfection, and waste management facilities and follow environmental cleaning and decontamination

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II)

procedures in the CCIs. Families that are fostering children are directed to ensure safety and follow up health and psychosocial wellbeing status of children under their care. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) issued advisory to District Child Protection Officer to ensure all CCIs to be equipped with enough academic and recreation material for children, maintain social distancing and disallow outsiders to enter into CCI premises, ensure therapeutic counselling services and medical facility for children with HIV/AIDS etc. The advisory relates to vulnerable children with migrant families or those living on streets. Child Welfare Police Officer (CWPO) are to identify all such children in their jurisdiction and collect details from the child, provide appropriate shelter to families if the children are with families, arrange medival check ups for all children. CWCs are ensure appropriate CCI facilities are arranged – nearby government/private schools, registered NGOs, community centers may be converted into such facilities. Adequate food, water, clothing, sanitation, hygiene and basic medical care have to be ensured in the facility. In case of a girl child, they should be sent to an appropriate shelter or facility meant exclusively for girls. In case girl child is alleged to have been trafficked, food, shelter, toiletries, clothing,counselling, etc be provided under MWCD’s Ujjwala scheme in the interim. In the case of children of families involved in seasonal labour, adequate arrangements of food, shelter, and medical facilities be provided. Same with children of migrant families walking back to their homes. Children in conflict with the law placed in observation homes and special homes maybe granted parole or interim bail. The advisory from NCPCR instructed Child Welfare Police Officers (CWPOs) to identify atrisk children, orphaned, abandoned, or without shelter; those alone to be moved to a CWC facility, those with families to be provided shelter; medical check-ups to be carried out. NHRC in the month of September directed to ensure health and nutrient supplement to adolescent girls through regular supply of iron supplements are CH services and menstrual hygiene products. The advisory to include without parental care, living in institutions, affected by natural disaster, and children connected with street. The advisory instruct State commission for protection of Child rights, child welfare committees under the JJ board, civil society organisations to trace, track and register all children living in an extremely vulnerable situations to ensure that the nutrient health and protection needs are being fully met through the state institutions as identified above including ICDS school MDMS, state food commissions etc.

Interventions by State Governments in the Study States

This section documents state governments’ policy measures related food, child nutrition, education, child protection, income relief, health measures, measures for poor, women,

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elderly and migrants etc. by Union Governments35 to fight the COVID 19 pandemic until September 2020. It captures some important initiatives of eight sample state governments viz, West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand, focusing on interventions having direct implications for poor and marginalised sections of the population including children.

Food supports and shelters for poor and migrated families including children: Most of the state governments announced relief packages such as few ration, food-grains and cooked food packets and shelters for the needy including migrant workers, beggars, homeless people and daily wage earners. -

As announced from the Chief Minister’s Office in Andhra Pradesh, all BPL households will get ration along with a kg of dal thrice - on March 29th, April 15th & April 29th. The Health, Medical & Family Welfare (B2) Department announced in March that April ration of rice and 1 kg of Red gram dal will be given free of cost to all rice card holders. Also, the April ration supplies shall be distributed in advance at the FP Shops from 29th March, 2020. The order says that all rice card holding families would also be given an one-time support of Rs.1000/- to meet the expenditure on other essential commodities such as groceries, vegetables and salt etc. at an estimated cost of Rs.1330 Crores and that steps will be taken to ensure that there is no disruption in the supply of essential commodities like vegetables, basic groceries, milk, egg, poultry, aqua and cattle feed etc.

Andhra Pradesh will provide free ration of 10 kgs rice and one kg red gram dal, per resident to NGOs running old age homes and child care institutions.

Government of Karnataka announced that Food grains for the month of April in ration shops to be provided without OTP and with signatures of individuals so that no one miss to get their share. The Karnataka High Court urged state government to specify what action is to be taken by the district administration to ensure that genuine demands received on hunger helpline are attended to. Court also ordered the State government to ensure that migrant workers who wish to remain in the state are provided food in the form of cooked food or ration kits.

Maharashtra Government announced one-month free ration to all population in the state. Instructions are given to the Panchayat to use Panchayat funds for provision of food and shelter to families in need. Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department announced additional free 5 kg/month for three months’ ration to AAY and PHH (priority households) under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna (Central government). Apart from that Bombay High Court directed the State Government to commence processing of the

Measures are collected and collated from different sources such as, COVID-19 Government Order Tracker (https://covid-india.in/#), state government websites on circulars, guidelines, SOPs as well as from news paper reports.

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applications for issue of ration cards to the eligible persons for obtaining benefit under the Antyodaya Scheme. -

High Court for the State of Telangana directed the State Government to provide foodgrains, consumable items, and medicines to the members of the transgender community free of cost, without insisting on the production of ration card/white card.

Telangana Government ordered to provide 12 Kg of Rice per person amounting to 3.58 lack tonnes of rice at ₹1103 Crore. Apart from that, the Government provides Rs. 1,500 for all rice card holding families, for buying essential commodities such as groceries and vegetables.

To ensure supply of essential groceries to all part of the state, the Agriculture Department of Tamilnadu sent directive to determine if Rice Mills, Dal Mills, Oil Mills, Masala Making Units, Bread/Biscuit/Food Processing Units are functional and to determine where bottlenecks exist in delivery of essential goods to the State.

Tamilnadu government announced that Transgender without ration cards are also eligible to receive 12kgs rice, 1kg dal, and 1 litre cooking oil, from FPS.

Government of Bihar announced that all the beneficiaries whose applications for ration cards have been found valid shall be provided with a relief fund and their ration cards shall also be issued soon. The families without ration cards that have been listed by the jeevikadidis shall be provided with relief funds immediately.

Food and Consumer Protection Depart of Bihar issued order that under Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana, each beneficiary shall be provided with 5 kgs of food grains via ecoupons while maintaining social distance. Dealers were sent advisories not to overcharge the beneficiaries or hoard essential goods.

Jharkhand Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, with an approved budget of Rs. 3 crore, issued order to operationalise 498 “Community kitchens (Dal Bhaat Kendras)” at all thanas in the 24 districts to serve migrants, homeless, and disabled persons until May 2020. Each community kitchen should be with a serving capacity of at least 200 persons, with a total of 1,68,000 people in the state for two months. In places where community kitchens are restricted, the department ordered for home delivery of emergency relief of dry ration comprising of 2kgs chuda (flattened rice), 0.5kg jiggery, 0.5kg chana. The order said that 5000 of these emergency relief packets shall be distributed in Ranchi and 2000 in the remaining 23 districts of the state.

Food and Civil Supplies of Jharkhand issued order that 6.9 Lakh families with pending applications for ration cards will also be provided 10 kilos of rice at Rs.1/kilo of rice procured from local market. In this order, Rs.30 Lakh had been sanctioned for each district.

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High Court of Delhi ordered to provide an amount of Rs 1500/- by the JJ Fund and dry ration including rice- 5 kg, dal- 2kg, sugar-1kg, to the institutions having children in conflict with the law.

Against a petition by Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan, Delhi High Court ordered for effective and time-bound redress mechanism to the complaints of non-supply of rations and ensure transparency in the distribution of food grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS) and other mechanisms like e-coupons to ensure that people do not go hungry during the lockdown. Delhi High Court also ordered state government to ensure food grains to all those in need irrespective of whether they have ration cards or not; assist people in applying for e-coupon; set up help desks in 580 ration distribution centre to do on spot registration and make the ration distribution; carry out surprise check of ration shops and operationalise adequate number of aata chakkies, where non-PDS beneficiaries can go to receive grains free of cost.

Food and civil supplies of Delhi ordered for emergency provision of dry ration for the poor in addition to the rations being provided to PDS card holder as well as the distressed and destitute who do not have PDS card or Adhaar card. Under the scheme, each coupon will fetch a beneficiary 4 kg of rice, 1 kg of wheat and additional kits containing 1 kg refined oil, 1 kg chhole chana, 1 kg sugar, 1 kg salt, 200 gm haldi powder, 200 gm dhania powder, 200gm chilli powder and two soap bars (65-70gms).

Under PMGKY, 5kg additional foodgrains per person per month announced by Delhi Government for 3 months (April-June) over and above the NFSA entitlements to all beneficiaries covered under TPDS. This 5kg includes 4kg wheat and 1kg rice, and shall be available at all fair price shops. The allocation of 1kg pulses per household under PMGKY is made free on household count basis for AAY, PR-S(Old BPL) and Priority category identified under NFSA.

Delhi Government has made arrangements for providing Jan Aahar to 500 people at each of the 56 government schools designated as hunger relief centres, through Mid-Day Meal vendors from 11 am - 5:30 pm daily. The prices for these meals are capped nominally at Rs.20.

West Bengal has taken steps in distributing ration of 2 kgs rice and 2 kgs potato (maximum @ Rs. 18) to each beneficiary of the Supplementary Nutrition Programme, irrespective of categories, up to 15 April, 2020. Food and Civil Supplies Department issued order that AAY, SPHH, PHH and RKSY-1 category of ration card holders to get free rations from 1st April to 30th September. RKSY-2 to get rice at ₹13/kg and wheat at ₹9/kg.

Government of West Bengal has created an Emergency Relief Fund which would be used specifically to address the needs of people during unforeseen emergencies not related to natural disasters. This method would bring about crowd funding which may help the state government to have additional financial support system. 25 | P a g e

Measures for women, elderly, farmers and disabled : In the backdrop of COVID 19, few states had initiatives for marginalised communities such as women, elderly persons and differently abled. -

In Andhra Pradesh, a total of 8.78 lakh women SHGs will be benefitted with announcement of a sum of Rs 1,400 crore under the scheme zero interest rate in which each SHG will receive sums ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 towards the interest component on their loans.

Karnataka High Court took cognizance of large number of cases of domestic violence and ordered the State to point out helplines available for victims in addition to the action taken on the basis of such complaints.

Tamil Nadu Government announced a cash assistance of Rs. 1,500 per month to be credited into the bank accounts of differently-abled persons. In furtherance of the Delhi High Court order dated 22.04.2020 in connection with a dedicated helpline for senior citizens, the Government of NCT of Delhi has directed that the helpline with number 1077 of Revenue Department, Govt of NCT of Delhi shall also function as the helpline for senior citizens for covid19.

Government of Delhi has doubled the pension under the widow pension scheme for 2.5 lakh beneficiaries, old-age pension scheme for 5 lakh beneficiaries and disability pension scheme for 1 lakh beneficiaries.

Income/ employment supports: At the wake of the pandemic and subsequent lock down measures, a lot of people in different sector faced the challenges of income loss. Several initiatives were taken by the state governments in the form of one-time grant, cash assistance, employment generation etc. -

Health, Medical & Family Welfare (B2) Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh issued order to all Government and Private establishments to pay full salaries for the period of lockdown to both permanent and contractual workers.

Revenue (Disaster Management I) Department of Andhra Pradesh issued order towards sanctioning and releasing of an amount of Rs.1300.00 Crore (Rupees One thousand three hundred crore only) to the Commissioner of Rural Development towards sanction of Scale of Assistance to the all BPL Families in the State of Andhra Pradesh, whose lives are affected due to lockdown.

Department of Labour, Government of Karnataka issued advisory regarding no termination of employees or deduction of wages due to closure/lockdown of establishments and paid leave of 28 days to employees infected with coronavirus. 26 | P a g e

Chief Minister of Karnataka announced Rs. 5,000 for washer-men, auto-drivers, taxidrivers and barbers across the state. The Government of Karnataka issued order that employment to be provided to rural workers/ migrants under MGNREGA and that responsibilities are vested on Gram Panchayat to i) identify tasks appropriate for such workers and ii) provide job cards to those who do not have such cards after identifying them.

Chief Minister of Karnataka announced Rs. 1,610 crore packages to rejuvenate economy post-lockdown, incentives and waivers regarding electricity bills for MSMEs, large scale industries and individual consumers.

The Bombay High Court directed to the employees of contract labourers that if any contract labour is willing to work, but an employer is unable to assign work on account of COVID, the principle of "no-work no-wages" will not apply. The Court, in this case, directed the employer to pay the contract labour full wages, not including food allowance and conveyance allowance for those who are not reporting for duty, for the month of March, April and May, 2020.

Maharashtra Government announced to provide an assistance of Rs 2,000 each to 12 lakh registered construction workers through direct benefit transfer scheme during Corona virus Lockdown, considering that there has been no work assigned to these registered (active) building Construction workers due to pandemic.

Telangana Government declared one time income support of Rs.1500/- for ration card holders - amounting to Rs.1314 Crore and ordered for full wage payments to permanent and contractual workers for lockdown period.

The employees of the Department of Medical and Health of Telangana were given an additional 10 per cent of their gross salary as an incentive for March and April. Similarly, the sanitation employees of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation were given Rs.7500/- and the sanitation personnel of other local bodies were provided Rs.5000/- as incentives for the months of March and April.

High Court of Judicature at Madras issued notice in plea to distribute cash benefits under various State and Central Government schemes to women account holders, farmers, old age and widow pensioners. A cash assistance of Rs 1,000 for all ration card holders through FPS, registered auto drivers and construction workers, members of Tamil Nadu Cine Welfare Board, and match factory workers extended by the Tamil Nadu Governments.

Government of Bihar announced that the marginalized families who do not have ration card shall be identified through Jeevikasamuh and arrangements for payment of Rs.1000 to them shall be made. Also an amount of Rs.1000 will be deposited in the accounts of all ration-card holders but only after Aadhaar-seeding.

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The department of Panchayat and Rural Development in Jharkhand has sanctioned a net amount of Rs 101.51 crore for the development of 704 Gram Panchayat Bhawans under MGNREGA and RGSA, in the newly constituted Gram Panchayats. In the Birsa Munda Harit Gram Yojana, under MGNREGA, an honorarium of Rs.19,400, for 100 workdays, will be given to Bagwani Mitra appointed in every village for protection of plants and trees.

Labour Commissioner of Jharkhand instructed for full wage payment for lockdown period for registered daily wage workers. On the other hand, Rural Department ordered to keep adequate shelf of works ready to provide employment immediately on demand.

Delhi High Court has taken into consideration the existing situation of COVID 19 to highlight the loss of employment and daily source of income and has ordered that workers whose registration may have lapsed, and are subsequently renewed, would be in the same position as those whose registrations were valid, and to whom the ex gratia payments have been disbursed since March, 2020. Health and Family Welfare department issued order that workers including contract/outsourced/temporary were to be treated as "on duty" and paid in full during lockdown phases.

Delhi Government decided to provide financial assistance of 5,000 to all daily wage labourers and construction workers. Delhi High Court Bar Association issued order to give ex gratia amount to young lawyer, lawyers who earn less than 6 lakh per annum and others who have undergone medical emergency with a maximum sum of Rs 10,000.

Measures for migrant labourers and daily wage earners: The hardest hit among all during the pandemic crisis had been the migrant labourers and daily wage earners who lost wages, livelihoods, shelters and stayed hungry for days together for not having cash in hands during lockdown. Many State Governments have instituted a number of steps to provide immediate relief to them, mainly in the form of providing night shelters, food and cash relief. -

With regard to the crisis situation faced by migrant population of the state, a Division Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court directed that, i) the check posts established on the Highways in the State keep sufficient stock of food, good drinking water, oral dehydration salts and glucose packets, which should be supplied to the workers who are walking; ii) paramedical staff and ambulances must also be made available at these centres to tend to any person in need of medical attention; iii) patrol vehicles deployed by the National Highway Authority of India and the Police Department to be used to transport the workers facing difficulty; and iv) distributing the pamphlets in Hindi and Telugu to inform the migrant workers of the nearest shelter homes.

Chief Secretary of the State of Andhra Pradesh issued guideline for Inter-State movement of Migrant Workers, Agriculture Labour, Pilgrims, Tourists, Students and other persons stranded at different places. The guideline also stated that the Government would bear

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the cost of travelling till destination by trains for migrants who are currently taking shelter in relief camps. -

To ameliorate the conditions of migrant workers, Karnataka High Court ordered State government to ensure that the process of facilitating the transport of migrant workers is done smoothly and also specify whether workers permitted to travel from one district to another are subjected to medical testing. The court issued guideline that the Zonal Joint Commissioners (“ZJC”) with the help of marshals and KSTDC buses would identify migrants, homeless and other people who are on the roads without food. These people then would be respectfully picked up and taken to nearest hostels declared as relief centres and provided with proper accommodation, health care and food.

The chief Minister of Karnataka announced that the State Government would provide free transport facilities to stranded persons within Karnataka on KSRTC buses till 5 May 2020 and that "One-time, two-way pass" to be issued to stranded individuals instead of "one way, one time one day pass" for inter-district travel within Karnataka.

Karnataka High Court directs the State Government to place on record in what manner it intends to arrange for operation of special trains for the benefit of migrants. In says that in case of complaints received by the State that some contractors or employers are confining the migrant workers to their shelters and are not permitting them to go to their respective home States, the State Government will have to attend to such complaints. The Court further directs that the policy of the State Government should take care of all categories of migrant workers irrespective of the fact whether they are in their own shelters or in shelters provided by their employers or shelters provided by the State or whether they are on streets.

Regarding Shramik special trains Karnataka High Court pointed out that the State which arranges the train is expected to pay the train fare in cases because considering the constitutional rights of the migrant workers, no one should be deprived of an opportunity to go back to his own State only for the reason that he has no capacity to pay for the transport.

Bombay High Court took stock of "unfathomable hardships" caused to labourers during the lockdown directs the State of Maharashtra to make arrangement for stay, food, sanitation clothing and health care of the labourers, working class including migrant labourers in need of these provisions.

To provide shelter for migrant workers before sending them to their respective locations, Maharashtra Government directed that Schools to be used as shelter homes for migrant workers. High Court of Bombay Nagpur Bench directed the District Collectors, Council Authorities and the Police Commissioners in Maharashtra to form special teams to monitor highways and arrange transport till the state border for migrant workers and others attempting to walk home. These authorities will request buses from the 29 | P a g e

Maharashtra State Road Transportation Corporation for safe transportation of these migrant workers. -

In the light of the difficulties faced by stranded persons, the Telangana State Human Rights Commission advised the State Government to give necessary instructions to all District Collectors to immediately identify and classify all stranded persons and arrange ‘Shramik Special Trains’.

Telangana High Court directed the State Government to evolve a comprehensive policy to deal with the migrant workers, both presently, as well as to deal with migrant workers even in future, considering the fact that a disaster can strike the state, or the nation unannounced.

Tamil Nadu e-pass portal has been operationalised. 'Return of Stranded People' has been added as a category. Nodal Officer have been appointed to monitor the movement of stranded persons and the issue of e-pass.

Chief Minister of Bihar announced arrangement for Temporary residences for people of Bihar who are coming from other states; opening of additional relief centres where needed with provision for food, healthcare and shelter; provisioning of ₹100 crore fund for relief, shelters and healthcare for stranded migrants. Bihar government also ordered to provide flood relief camps, utensils, clothes and milk in disaster relief centres and that the cook in relief camps will be provided with funds.

Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD) of Jharkhand issued order towards appointment of officials to ensure accommodation, sanitation, and other facilities for Jharkhandi migrants stuck in Delhi. This is devised with the objective that ideally the migrant workers should not be travelling in these times and must be provided adequate social security to sustain in the destination states.

Delhi High Court ordered not to charge train or bus fares from any migrant worker and it would be borne by state or centre; State shall take responsibilities of providing meal and water to all the workers either through bus or train or in camps on the way; State/UT shall provide migrant workers on foot with vehicle for journey hence forth or sent to relief camp with provision of food and water; State shall provide workers good health screening facility and other facilites free of cost. Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) issued directions to ensure that no migrant is walking on road in case found in such condition, they should be counseled, taken to nearby shelters and provided with food and water till they are facilitated to board trains.

The Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal issued a letter to Municipal Commissioner, KMC, requesting to ensure food and lodging arrangements and wage payments of the stranded migrant labourers.

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The West Bengal government has decided to introduce a new scheme, named, SNEHER PARAS, for financial assistance to the migrant workers who are residents of West Bengal and are stranded in different parts of the country. Rs 1000 will also be provided to these workers under this scheme. The applicant needs to provide details of either or Khadyasathi Number or EPIC Number or Aadhaar Number to prove that the worker is a resident of West Bengal.

The Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal issued a letter to Municipal Commissioner, KMC requesting to ensure food and lodging arrangements; full wage payments of the stranded migrant labourers.

Measures related to health and protective measures for health workers: The actual fight against the pandemic was directly faced by the frontline health workers managing patients in the hospitals, handling infectious dead bodies, managing wastes, arranging facilities and equipment to deal with the diseases, among others. The State’s responsibility was to protect and incentivise these frontline health workers, i.e, doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, sanitation workers and others. -

Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh under Dr. YSR Arogyasri Scheme, listed public and private hospitals which will treat 15 procedures for Covid-19 patients free of cost; All asymptomatic, home quarantine patients can get tested anywhere and should not be turned away. The government fixed a total sum of 2400 Rupees payable for the testing of samples forwarded by the government and a sum of 2900 Rupees payable by persons who directly approach such approved labs for their testing.

Directorate of Health and Family Welfare services in Karnataka issued detailed guidelines for providing maternity services in Karnataka state under 5 parameters listed: ANC services, Delivery services, Postpartum care and Family Planning and Safe Abortion Services. The guideline prohibits discrimination on any ground stating that nop health center or hospital to decline emergency maternity services to any pregnant women.

Maharashtra Government ordered Free treatment for any covid 19 positive individual. Payment according to Ayushman Bharat norms. The Maharashtra High Court also issued order that a person who is suffering from the disease like covid-19 is not expected to produce a Tehsildar certificate or certificate from Social Welfare Officer before seeking admission in the hospital.

Bombay High Court ordered to pay Social Health Activists (ASHA) an amount of Rs 200 per day instead of Rs 1000 per month, which is presently being paid.

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Telangana High Court ordered State Government to ensure that in the shelter homes housing the pregnant women, lactating mothers, children and elderly persons, medical facilities are provided for their medical health issues on a daily basis.

Revenue and Disaster Management Department of Tamilnadu ordered provision of PPE for workers belonging to Health and Family Welfare, Revenue and Disaster Management, Police, Sanitary and Conservancy employees if Rural/Urban local bodies who are involved in Covid-19 prevention. The order mentioned that in case any staff contract Covid-19, treatment expenditure and ex gratia of 2 lakhs to be provided to each staff.

Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Delhi issued order for doctors, paramedics, nurses and support staff working in Covid-19 facilities, including hospitals, health centers, quarantine centers and test centers to be provided hotel accommodation.

Measures related to child nutrition: With closure of schools and Anganwadi Centres, nutrition for children from poor and marginalised communities was at stake. Children in primary and secondary schools missed provision of cooked food under Mid Day Meal due to lock down. -

Karnataka High Court directed State Government to decide if regular functioning of anganwadis can be commenced in green zones.

Maharashtra Government ordered that cost of Mid Day Meal are to be deposited in the bank accounts of families whose children are in primary and upper primary, during the lock down period and summer vacation.

Tribal Welfare Department, Maharashtra issued directives to resume home delivery of cooked food for pregnant, lactating women and children between the age of 7 months to six years, supply of eggs and bananas to week children in tribal areas under the Bharat Ratna APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Yojna of ICDS.

Education department of Bihar announced that the schools which serve Mid-day meals shall transfer money in accounts of students or guardians before 31st march 2020.

Initiatives on education: With the central government’s announcement on school closure, a number children enrolled in primary and secondary schools are affected. In line with central government’s order, state governments also ordered for school closure and cancellation of examination with stress in shifting school system into virtual classrooms sessions.

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Recommendations made by an Expert Committee appointed by Chief Minister of Karnataka said that lockdown should continue for all educational institutions and Tutorials until 31st May 2020, though online classes for students to be encouraged in all those institutions.

Minister Higher & technical Education, Government of Maharashtra directed that considering the feasibility of conducting exams the terminal (final) examinations should not be conducted and urged to consider option of promoting the students without conducting exams of last year for UG/PG and grade them as per UGC guidelines.

Education department of Bihar issued order to all government, non-government (private) schools, colleges, universities, training institutes and coaching centres of Bihar to be closed till 31st March 2020 and examinations to be postponed. However, teaching and non-teaching staff shall be present at their institutes.

Directorate of Education, School Branch in Delhi ordered for school closure till October with instruction to continue Online classes and teaching learning activities and continuous flow of information to students of Covid safe practices (mask, distancing, hand hygiene) before any online class

Measures related to child protection: COVID 19 produced disruptions have adversely affected the children's wellbeing and protection, especially those belonging to vulnerable social groups like scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and children of migrant workers. To ensure protection and safeguard the safety of children in institutional care, some initiatives were taken by state governments. -

In Delhi, Juvenile Justice Committee under High Court of Delhi instructed institutions having children in conflict with the law to provide interim relief to the children during the present lockdown at the time of their release on bail/parole/ discharge unless denied. The order also mentioned about a cash relief of Rs 1500/- to be paid by the JJ Fund and dry ration including rice- 5 kg, dal- 2kg, sugar-1kg to each child in those institutions.

Delhi Commission For Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) issued order to Labour Department to send a fresh list of placement agencies to check that any of the placement agencies are engaging in illegal employment of children and trafficked persons.

III)

Important Advisories/Circulars at Central and State levels36

1) Circular from Ministry of consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Dept. of Food & Public Distribution: The Government approved the proposal for grant of ex-gratia for 36

Measures are collected and collated from government websites on circulars, guidelines, SOPs as well as from news

paper report

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monetary compensation to 108,714 workers and officers of the food and Corporation of India(FCI) including 80,000 labour who had been working 24x7 to supply food grains across the country amidst the outbreak of Coronavirus Pandemic. Government had decided to provide ex-gratia monetary compensation to all employees and labour of FCI who are working tirelessly despite the threat of infections due to Coronavirus COVID19.Under its provisions, during the six month period from March 24,2020- 23rd Sept,2020 if any body dies due to COVID-19 infection while on duty with FCI Labour will get an exgratia of Rs.15 lakh, Contractual Labour will be entitled to Rs.10 lakh,Category-1 Officers 35 lakh,Category-2 Rs.30 lakh and Category 3 and 4 workers Rs.25 lakh. 2) FCI to provide Food grains to Non-NFSA beneficiaries having State Ration cards, 5kg per person per month for 3 months; NGOs can buy without any limit: Under the PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY), a total of 12.1 MMT of food grains are being supplied to 81 crore people in 3 months. Different states such as West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana etc has been approached by the FCI for transportation of stacks for equitable distribution throughout the nation. 3) Addendum to NCPCRs Advisory regarding Care and Protection of Children moving with migrant families, Children living on streets, Child care institutions in lights of COVID-19 dated 28.03.2020: Child Protections agencies of the government has well-functioning CCI’s, at time of pandemic more support as to be given by the government. Additional applications were given to the NCPCR, which is as follows:  In case of children with families, adequate food for children and food appropriate for infants be made available.  If the release of funds to the CCIs is pending, it should be expedited and funds be provided at the earliest  Children staying in Hostels, Madarsas or other Government/Private residential institutions is advised to continue to stay there due to the lockdown. In such cases, the District Collector/Magistrate should ensure that these CCI’s take full responsibility for the complete care of the child. No institution should ask children to vacate the institute.  Support from CHILDLINE may be sought to conduct visit to these institutions. 4) MHA DO Lr. Dt. 16.05.2020 to Chief secretaries and Administrators regarding Online National Migrant Information System Dashboard: The key features of this can be enlisted as follows:  The online portal (NMIS) would maintain a central repository of migrant workers and help in speedy inter-state communication to facilitate the smooth movement of migrant workers to their native places.

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    



The key data pertaining to the persons migrating has been standardized for uploading such as name, age, mobile no., originating and destination district, date of travel etc. Through the contact details, migrants would have easier access to information and can be informed of travel details. A Unique ID is generated for each migrant, which would be used for all transactions States will be able to visualize how many people are going out from where and how many are reaching their destination States. Additional advantages like contact tracing, which may be useful in overall Covid-19 response work. The mobile numbers of people can be used for contact tracing and movement monitoring during Covid-19. There can be planning by the origin state for accommodation and other needs to be taken care of as a preventive measure.

5) MHA orders dated 29th March,2020, 15the April , 2020 and 16th April 2020: SOPs for movement of Stranded Labour within the State/UT: Due to the spread of COVID-19, the workers employed in industry, agriculture, construction and other sectors had moved from their respective place of work and were housed in relief/shelter camps being run by State/UT Government, MHA provided SOPs ensuring their engagement in in industry, manufacturing, construction, farming and MNREGS work. The key issues under the SPOs are:  The migrants labourers currently residing in relief/shelter camps in State/UT should be registered with the concern local Authority and their skill mapping be carried out to find out their suitability for various kind of work.  It may be noted that there shall be no movement of labour outside the state/UT from where they are located.  Those who want to go back to their place of work they would be screened and those who are asymptomatic would be transported to their respective place of work.  During the journey by Bus, it would be ensured that safe social distancing norms are followed and the buses used for transport are sanitize as per the guidelines of the Health Authorities.  The National Directives for COVID-19 management issued under the consolidated revised guidelines shall be strictly followed  The local Authorities shall also provide for food and water etc.., for the duration of their journey. 6) MHA order Dt. 19.05.2020 reg. revised SoPs on movement of Stranded workers by Train: The Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) dated on 1st may 2020 mentioned that,  Shramik Special trains facilitated by Ministry of Railways, monitored by Ministry of Home Affairs.  All states and UT would have to make arrangements for sending and receiving migrants. 35 | P a g e

   

Train schedule of destinations and stops finalised by the ministry of railways in consultation with respected local government. There would be restrictions and protocols with regard to movement within train by passengers. All passengers are screened and checked before boarding On arriving destination, state should ensure passengers are taking up all the prescribed health precautions.

7) Advisory to address the needs of “Internal Woman migrants in India” during COVID 19: The advisory is issued on following needs –  Food – Ensuring nutritious and safely prepared food, drinking water, provisions such as cooking oil, cooking fuel and essential food items to migrant women and girls irrespective of their entitlement or registration status.  Shelter/Accommodation – Ensuring decent accommodation for migrant girls and women at placed provided by government. Ensure distribution of sanitary napkins and special provision for lactating women in temporary shelters. 



 



Safety (Protection from gender based violence) – Ensure mechanisms to respond to incidences of gender based violences. Helplines to be set up to help women in distress. Health care – Ensure womens’ access to health care – mental, physical, maternal care and child health. Mobile COVID screening units may be deployed in major residential areas of migrants. Contraceptives & sanitary napkins to be considered as essential services and provided as part of ration shops. Mental health – Address specific trauma using help lines and physical help desks. Ensure women has access of communication to her family. Hygiene – Ensure sanitation facility which is safe, accessible with privacy norms and access to menstrual hygiene along with running water. Provide sanitary napkins, toiletries and handmade masks to women. Quarantine measures – gender responsive and child sensitive protocol to be developed, adopted and implemented while quarantine process.

8) Advisory regarding care and protection of children moving with migrant families; children living on streets/Child Care Institutions in light of COVID-19: The key guidelines are as under The child welfare Police officer (CWPO) shall regularly monitor if any such children are there in the area within the police station’s jurisdiction and if children are found, the CWPO shall intimate the same to CWC. The entire process and status of children is to be monitored by Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) and District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) in the District.

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

 

If the child is found to be alone, the child shall be temporarily placed in CCI or a Fit Facility with approval of CWC. If child is found with family, necessary arrangement for shelter is to be provided by competent authority of the state. The CWPO shall make arrangements for conducting medical check-up of each child, in which NGOs may be involved. The District Authority should ensure that the CHILDLINE is active 24*7 for providing assistance to the administration in ensuring safety of children

For Safety of children in CCIs   

The DCPO should ensure that the staff is sensitized and updated on the measures for preventing the spread of COVID-19. The CCIs maybe equipped with sufficient academic and recreationmaterial for the children If the release of funds to the CCIs is pending, it should be expedited and funds be provided at the earliest.

For children who were staying in Hostels, Madrasas or other Government/Private residential institutions 

  

Asking children to vacate such accommodations in the awake of Covid 19 is strictly prohibited. It is the responsibility of hostel/ Madrasa / Government/private residential institutions to take care of the children staying there. there should not shortage of basic facilities such as food, water, medical aid, sanitation for these children. If the release of funds to these institutions is pending, it should be expedited and funds be provided at the earliest. Support from CHILDLINE may be sought to conduct visit to these institutions and report any kind of shortage or safety issue

9) DO Lr. Dt. 12.4.2020 to Chief Secretaries and Administrators reg. welfare activities towards migrants: The key guidelines for this advisory are as under,  It is to be ensured that trained counsellors and/or community group leaders belonging to all faiths should visit relief camps/ shelter homes to deal with any consternation faced by migrants.  Police and other authorities should deal with migrants in a humane manner and should understand the anxiety and fear that the migrants face.  State govts. / UTs should try to engage volunteers along with the police to supervise the welfare activities of the migrants. 10) MHA DO Lr. Dt. 15.5.20 to States and UTs requesting to ensure no movement of migrants on roads and railway tracks:

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

 

If migrant workers are found walking on the roads and railway tracks, they should be appropriately counselled, taken to nearby shelters and provided with food, water etc. till they are facilitated to board the Shramik special trains or buses to their native places It is the responsibility of all states and UTs to ensure the movement of stranded migrant workers who are willing to go to their home states, is facilitated. With the cooperation of States/UT, ministry of Railways is running 100 Shramik special trains per day.

11) MHA’s advisory to all States/UTs to make adequate arrangements for migrant workers, students etc from outside the States to facilitate Social Distancing for COVID-19: The advisory suggests that in order to mitigate the situation for unorganized sector workers, States/UTs need to explore measures by involving various agencies, including NGOs, to provide food and shelter with basic amenities like clean drinking water, sanitation etc. States/UTs have also been advised to make these vulnerable groups aware of the measures taken by the Government including provision of free food grains & other essential items through PDS, and streamline the distribution system. 12) MHA authorises States to use State Disaster Response Fund for relief measures for migrant workers during COVID-19 lockdown: According to this advisory, States/ UTs need to ensure that hotels, rented accommodations, hostels etc., continue to remain functional and delivery of essential items is streamlined, so that students, working women hostel inmates etc. are allowed to continue in existing facilities, while observing precautions. State Governments were advised to set up Relief Camps along Highways, to provide food and shelter to migrant workers returning to their domicile States. 13) Letter from Ministry of Human Resource Development Department of School Education and Literacy Shastri Bhavan: D.O. letter dated 20th March 2020 regarding the provision of mid day meal or Food security allowance to the eligible children under Mid Day Meal Scheme during closure of schools on account on COVID-19. State Governments and UTs Administrations were advised to take necessary action to provide hot cooked meals or food security Allowance comprising of Food grains and cooking cost to the eligible children during the summer vacations of 2020-21. In case of supply of pulses, oil etc, the entire per meal child cooking cost shall used for providing pulses, oil etc. For summer vacation, States and UTs shall ensure implementations of the provisions by providing food-security allowance to each child calculating the cost for all schedule school days e.g. days on which schools were supposed to function, but closed due to COVID-19. 14) Guidelines on provision of reproductive, maternal, new born, child, and adolescent nutrition services during and post-COVID-19: Considering that pandemic situation adversely affect pregnant women and new born children, MoHFW released the guidelines 38 | P a g e

on “Enabling Delivery of Essential Health Services during the COVID 19 Outbreak” dated 14th April 20201for provision of essential services. It was important to ensure the availability of services during this crisis period as any denial of services can have an impact on maternal and newborn mortalities, morbidities as well as the health care costs. The guidelines outlined the following services as essential: Services related to pregnancy care and management New-born care and childhood illness management Immunization Services Management of SAM children Family Planning Services Comprehensive Abortion Care Services Adolescent Health services

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5. ASSESSING GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSES: WHAT WENT WRONG? There are studies around the responses by Indian Government to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. As experts mentioned, the most destructive outcomes such as, dramatic economic collapse and humanitarian catastrophe in India, did not result from the trajectory of the disease, but from the nature of the government response.37 Government’s decision to impose lock down and curfew-like regulations confining people to their homes, preventing most economic activity and prohibiting movements delayed the virus transmission but did not control it. India was caught in the worst of both outcomes: inability to control the disease, combined with immense economic losses and massive human tragedies resulting from the lockdown and associated collapse of employment and livelihoods. The disease continued to spread on one hand and fate of the people in informal sectors continued to worsen with no livelihood for at least 2 months since lock down. The worst affected were migrant workers who got to expose to virus while returning back to their places of origin as well as had no choice but to fall back on existing savings or borrowing for survivals for losing jobs. The slight revival in employment in May, as lockdown restrictions were eased somewhat, was not matched by equivalent wage incomes, as wages and self-employed incomes remained much lower than before.38 Studies mentioned about few unrealistic measures that failed to control the pandemic as well as to address the excessive economic distress.

Unprepared decision on lock down and Haphazard travel restrictions Stringent, unprepared and abrupt decision on lock down as containment strategy not suited to Indian context. Around half of all workers are self-employed, usually in informal sectors. These workers were sharply affected by the lockdown, which deprived them of paid employment without warning. “Stay at home” policy is unreasonable for a country like India where at least quarter of villages live in extremely crowded and congested conditions (Jayati Ghosh, 2020, Journal of Industrial and Business Economics). Frequent washing of hands is an unrealistic idea with limited access to clean water. Also centralization of power with too much of top-down controls and lack of consultations with state governments, for example, sudden lock down announcement led to worst

A critique of the Indian government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic; Jayati Ghosh, J Ind Bus Econ. 2020 Jul 11 : 1– 12 38

ibid

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consequences. Furthermore, State governments were made responsible for essential public health measures and dealing with economic effects of the lockdown, but they were completely strapped for cash. The central government provided almost nothing by way of additional resources and imposed many conditions on their ability to borrow, thereby limiting their ability to spend and effectiveness in dealing with the disease and the economic distress. (Jayati Ghosh, 2020, Journal of Industrial and Business Economics). The government’s lax approach to international air passengers, at a time when they were practically the only source of infections of COVID-19 in the country, was in marked contrast to its response to the domestic populace. Especially so, with the working poor, who were left stranded by the millions, when the Centre suspended all domestic public transport without notice on March 24 ahead of the 3-week national lockdown. Many were stranded literally thousands of miles from home, and the shutdown triggered a mass exodus by foot, taking a huge toll in lives and livelihoods.

Miniscule relief package for the hardest hit sections of population Studies39 say that misplaced timing and delayed responses in several critical areas, especially for migrants pushing them towards destitution and hunger. There has been announcement from central and different state governments under existing pro-poor government schemes about cash transfers and free ration distributions for migrants and vulnerable families. These included, -

Ex-gratia amount of INR 500 per month for women in Jan dhan account for 3 months Free LPG cylinders for BPL families for 3 months Wage increase by Rs.2000 per worker under MNREGA One time ex-gratia amount of INR 1,000 to senior citizens, widows, disabled Distribution of 5 kg of wheat and rice for free in addition to the current 5 kg allocation for the next 3 months Direction to state governments to use welfare fund for building and construction workers. Rs 1.7 lakh crore economic relief package under the ‘Garib Kalyan Yojana’ for the poor suffering from unprecedented measure.

However, the stimulus and relief package for poor and marginalised families, the hardest hit by the pandemic, despite inflated announcement by the Government on official relief packages, had been grossly inadequate. Total additional public spending promised by all the relief measures announced by the end of May amounted to only around 1% of GDP (CBGA, 2020).

A critique of the Indian government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic; Jayati Ghosh, 2020, Journal of Industrial and Business Economics

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SWAN Report 2020, a surveys of migrant workers after 1 month of lockdown found that most of them (96%) had not received food rations or cash relief from the government, while around 90% had not been paid for the period by their employers either. According to the research wing of the State Bank of India, Of the Rs 2 lakh crore of direct fiscal impact, only Rs 76,500 crore (including free ration) involved direct money transfer to the people, which constitutes a paltry 0.38% of the GDP.40 Additional ration for three months, cash transfer of Rs.500 in Jan Dhan account or ex-gratia amount of Rs.1000 to widows and disabled seem to be inadequate which were all announced only till June, whereas the effect of pandemic has been long term and is still continuing. For the 14 crore migrant workers who were rendered homeless, without incomes, and without food at one stroke, and hence poured out in vast numbers onto the streets to go back to the only refuge they knew, namely their village homes, the announcement of the “rescue package” of Rs.1.7 lakh crore stands grossly inadequate. Of this, the fresh assistance in the Union Budget, amounted only to Rs.92,000 crore or less than 0.5% of the country’s GDP, which is far lower than of every other major country in the world.41

Inadequate stimulus package for MSME and Farmers Over the 40-day lockdown period, MSMEs and industries otherwise permitted to operate had been constrained due to regulatory hurdles. Each continuous process, essential service manufacturer and other ancillaries and intermediaries were unable to break the regulatory lock jam with respect to receiving approvals from district administrations. There were a lot of instances where approvals for starting operations for a continuous process or their raw material supplier or their intermediary has been pending for over 20-30 days. All the regulatory hurdles and on-ground implementation issues were most adversely affecting the MSME sector in India.42 A major portion of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (ABY) package totalling a financial support of Rs.20.97 lakh crores announced by the Government of India focuses on providing collateral few loans, credit guarantees etc. to farmers and MSME. This include, -

Upfront income support of Rs.2000 to the farmers through PM-KISAN scheme Announcing Rs.3 Lakh crore collateral free loan with 100% credit guarantee

“Package of numbers, not relief”; T M Thomas Isaac, MAY 19 202 (web: https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/main-article/package-of-numbers-not-relief-839620.html) 41 Patnaik, Prabhat (2020): "The Mendacity of Modi Govt's 'Rescue Package'", Newsclick, 23 May. Web: https://www.newsclick.in/Modi-GOVT-Rescue-Package-for-COVID-Sufficient 42 Singh Rudresh; May 05, 2020; “MSMEs in essential operations are locked out; implementation paralysis hurting small businesses”, Web: https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/cafe-sme/msme-eodb-lack-of-coordination-betweengovt-and-on-ground-authorities-impacting-msmes/1948854/)

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However, studies43 mention that for the farmers and Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, additional loans have been promised liberally but very little has been done to compensate their loss during the lockdown or to ease their debt burden. It is surprising that while the government has announced Rs. 3 lakh crores for providing credit, it has not yet paid MSMEs the amount owed to them amounting to as much as Rs. 5 lakh crores.44

Insufficient investment in health system, shortage of emergency supplies and delays in domestic production of testing kits

Research reports talk about the inadequate preparation of health systems, facilities and personnel during lock down period keeping the facilities like hospital beds, ventilators, etc. well below the need on one hand and ignoring treatment focus for people with long term diseases like TB, Cancer, Kidney ailment, Heart ailments etc. on the other hand. Insufficient investment in Health System and inappropriate distribution of funds to the states from center was another hindrance to cope with the pandemic. According to a study (CBGA, 2020), less than 0.04% of GDP were made available for immediate public health expenditure and less than half of that was distributed among states, in a rather arbitrary manner. At the wake of pandemic Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), especially masks and coveralls, are essential for the protection of healthcare workers, and are mandatory under WHO guidelines for Covid-19 treatment. The Centre had banned the export of PPEs on January 31, but allowed the export of raw materials for PPEs. However, according to Scroll.in investigation, the government had not placed any substantial orders for PPEs in the one and a half months since its ban on exports. Nor did it issue any specifications on the design, quality and testing of Covid-19 safety gear for manufacturers to start production. According to one estimate45, in place of the 38 million masks and 6.2 million coveralls that were required in India, only 9.1 million masks and 8,00,000 coveralls were available. The story was not very different with mechanical ventilators. According to one estimate46, India may require up to 1 million ventilators to deal with COVID-19, and has recently placed an order for 49,000 units. Several independent experts have said that India was not testing enough for COVID-19 cases, which was because of lack of kits. The Centre’s attempts to start domestic production of testing kits but approvals process itself was started as late as 23 March, at a time when India had a total of 471 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Adding to this, ICMR guidelines on domestic testing kits issued on March 23, included an inexplicable condition that required domestic

“Package of numbers, not relief”; T M Thomas Isaac, MAY 19 202 (web: https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/main-article/package-of-numbers-not-relief-839620.html) 44 Centre for Budget Governance and Accountability (CBGA). (2020). Numbers on the Edge: Assessing India’s Fiscal Response to Covid-19. New Delhi: CBGA. 45 https://www.firstpost.com/health/coronavirus-outbreak-only-9-1-million-of-38-million-masks-needed-to-fight-covid-19in-india-available-says-invest-india-agency-8202171.html 46 https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/story/covid-19-shortage-of-ventilators-iit-team-pitches-bag-valvemask-as-alternative-1661659-2020-03-31

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testing kits to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The stipulation added further confusion to an already chaotic situation and further delay in production.47

Insufficient stimulus package for economic revival

The announcement of Rs. 20 lakh crore under Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana economic package looked inflated in the beginning with the hope that the package would improve the loss in economy. However, as analysed, the actual cash outgo from Centre's offers for this stimulus is only 0.75% to 1.5% of GDP, which is a miniscule amount when compared to other countries.48 According to the Quarterly Review of the Economy by National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER)49, the economic stimulus package of Rs.20 lakh crore would result in negative GDP growth of -12.5% for the whole year 2020-21, the least possible policy scenario to regain a positive GDP growth would be to ensure additional spending of at least 3% of GDP over budgeted level for 2020-21. This would result in positive GDP growth of 1.2%, with lower inflation and smaller fiscal deficit. In short, the present economic stimulus package announced by the Central government focused more on long term policy measures, rather than immediately reviving the economy or addressing the immediate needs of poor and middle class sections.

Caste, class and gender bias of policy responses50

Class orientation in policy measures such as, denial of livelihood for informal workers without alternative social protection, refusals to release foodgrains for hungry, control mobility of migrants, detaining or humiliating the migrants who tried to walk thousands of kilometre to their homes, had been criticised by many of the economists. According to experts, the typically better-off persons throughout the period of lockdown were the Indian citizens stranded abroad as the Government arrange incoming evacuation flights were (often at public expense), whereas stranded workers in India got little or no assistance. When some trains for internal migrants were finally arranged, impoverished workers were made to pay full fares, and conditions on these trains were often appalling, with prolonged and delayed journeys in intense heat during which food and water were not provided, adding to distress and ill-health. 47

“Five COVID-19 Policy Mistakes India Could Have Done Without” (web: https://thewire.in/health/five-covid-19-policymistakes-india-could-have-done-without) 48 Mudit Kapoor | Mohsin Shaikh; May 22, 2020 ; Infographic: How little Govt will spend of Rs 21 lakh cr stimulus package 49 NCAER, 2020; Quarterly Review of the Economy, 2020:1Q in Coronavirus times; (Web: https://www.ncaer.org/uploads/photo-gallery/ files/ 1589650398NCAER%20QRE%20Presentation%20May%2015%202020.pdf) 50 A critique of the Indian government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic; Jayati Ghosh, J Ind Bus Econ. 2020 Jul 11 : 1– 12

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On the other hand, the still pervasive caste system in India unfolded once again with discrimination against the front line workers in the fight against COVID. Most of the front line workers especially basic health workers and sanitation workers, come from lower castes and tend to be women. They are poorly remunerated, often not even receiving minimum wages. During the pandemic, they have typically had to work without adequate protection (with a disproportionate number getting infected) faced social discrimination and physical threats, and in many cases have not even received their full pay.

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6. POLICY MEASURES BY FEW OTHER COUNTRIES: A SHORT OVERVIEW Over the course of 2020, COVID-19, has taken hundreds of thousands of lives, infected millions of people, upended the global economy and cast a dark shadow across our future. Globally, more than 900 thousand people have died and 27 million have been or are infected.51 COVID-19 pandemic has become more than only a health crisis and has left no region, country, nor population group untouched. No single individual, sector or society has been spared. Some of the most vulnerable communities suffered disproportionately across the globe. To fight with the crisis, a whole-of-society, whole-of-government approach driven by unity and compassion was required. Recognizing the far reaching impact of the crisis, governments in countries across the globe had sought for immediate comprehensive response focusing on health, on safeguarding lives and livelihoods. There are some similarities across countries in terms of responses to contain the viral transmission such as, lock down measures, social distancing guidelines, testing arrangements for infected populations or maintaining safety protocols in different places etc. However, there are differences across countries in terms of economic policy responses. With strong emphasis on supporting the most affected, different countries have pushed for stimulus packages, learning support, psychological support, sanitation and hygiene supports, food and shelter supports. Most of the countries adopted measures to support the economic recovery, protect and create jobs for young workers, unemployed or those who lost jobs during crisis. This section of the report documents the policy measures of 13 selected countries who were among the most affected countries during the first phases of COVID-19, excluding India. The measures by different government have been based on the country specific circumstances. The immediate set of policies announced in most of the countries was common in nature such as, cash transfers, tax exemptions, waving of rental payment, unemployment subsidies to job seekers or subsidies to the firms or sectors facing loss. The following table shows the stimulus package and other emergency relief measures adopted by selected countries. The information documented in the table is based on the information provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and International Labour Organization. As mentioned by IMF, the policy tracker includes information that is publicly available or provided by the authorities in response to COVID-19, such as automatic insurance mechanisms and existing social safety nets etc. The measures listed here neither meant for 51

United Nations Comprehensive Response to COVID-19: Saving Lives, Protecting Societies, Recovering Better

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comparison across members as responses vary depending on the nature of the shock and country-specific circumstances, not it represents views of the IMF on the country specific measures.

Policy Measures taken in Selected Countries52 Australia

Belgium

Brazil

China

Italy

Accommodative monetary policy to put downward pressure on borrowing costs for households and business Early childhood education and care relief and higher education package Funding supports for aged care and disability sector Increased income support for individuals, including Job Seeker Provide financial/tax and other relief for financially distressed enterprises Industry relation reform package to support business recovery and create jobs Increased flexibilities on work hours and leave flexibilities Liquidity support postponing social security & tax payments for companies and self employed Increased fiscal supports for those in temporary unemployment Increased tax deductions for donations to approved institutions A special Corona unemployment scheme for those who lost job, need to attend 2 days unemployment training and receive 70% of last capped salaries Additional budget to health care sector to create extra jobs and wage increase of existing staff Additional subsidies to affected firms and sectors facing substantial losses Corona parental leave for working parents with children below 12 years till 30th September'20 Expansion of heath spending, lowering taxes and import levies on essential medical supplies Employment support to vulnerable households, cash transfers to low income workers Labour Decomplications Program to provide favourable business environments to create jobs Website with information on Government's measures to protect migrants and refugees Central bank changed capital requirements for small financial institutions Reduced provisions for contingent liabilities allowed for banks to lent to SMEs Allocation of 1% of GDP by Government to SMEs and micro-businesses to cover payroll costs, working capital and investment. Discretionary fiscal measures like increased spending on epidemic prevention and control Tax relief and waived social security contributions Raised subsidies for basic medical insurance for rural and non-working urban residents New vocational skill training programs to stabilize employments for migrant workers Measures for favourable remuneration, reduce workplace violence, protection of physical and psychological health of medical workers Production of medical equipment Funds to strengthen the Italian health care system and civil protection Measures to preserve jobs and support income of laid-off workers and self-employed Support businesses, including tax deferrals and postponement of utility bill payments in most affected municipalities Cash transfers by Municipalities for the poor without income and pension Wage compensation to enterprises in cases of reduction of hours of work or activity. Extension of access to credits by micro enterprises Recruitment of 20,000 in health sector

International Monetary Fund (2020) "Policy Response to Covid19"(web: https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-andcovid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19#B); ILO -Country policy responses (web: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/regional-country/country-responses/lang--en/index.htm)

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Japan

South Korea

Germany

Russian Federation

Spain

France

USA

Additional spending on preventive measures against the spread of infection and strengthen treatment capacity Emergency microcredit to troubled households Enhance rent support to low income households and request to landlords to consider rent deferment Special loans from emergency funds for households facing income decline Enhancing financial support with concessional loans to micro, small and medium sized business Reduction or exemption of local property tax on machinery and building for affected SMEs Providing zero-interest loan to construction workers to help their livelihood Emergency livelihood aid to workers on unpaid leave and on leave of absence Strengthening financing for living expenses and vocational trainings for job seekers Emergency Employment Stability Subsidy for small business owners, contract employees, freelancers and SME workers Creation of 1.9 million public sector jobs Supplying masks to workplaces with high risk of exposure Supplementary budgets for spending on healthcare equipment, hospital capacity and R&D (vaccine) Temporarily expanded duration of unemployment insurance and parental leave benefits Short term work subsidy to preserve jobs and workers’ incomes Interest free tax deferral and special grants to small business owners and self-employed persons severely affected by the COVID-19 outbreaks Payment of unemployment benefit extended for 3 additional months Increased compensation for frontline medical staff as well as health and safety inspector Standard unemployment benefit equal to the minimum wage for five months; minimum unemployment benefit tripled until end-August Additional lumpsum benefits for children up to 3 years of age for 3 months; one-time lumpsum benefit for all children in 3-16 years; additional lumpsum benefit for each child for up to 6 months if a parent lost their job Interest rate subsidies for SMEs and systemically important enterprises Tax holiday on all taxes (excluding VAT) and social contributions for SMEs, sole proprietors, and NGOs providing social services Budget grants for SMEs in affected industries to cover salaries at the rate of one minimum salary per employee for two months Special benefit for Domestic workers who lost job during pandemic Reduction of working hours for employees to take care of their dependent relatives Subsidy for the unemployed people over 52 Tax relief and Social Security Contribution Relief Measures to strengthen the health system through contingency fund Additional funds to guarantee the basic right to food for children in vulnerable situations Streamlining and boosting health insurance for the sick or their caregivers Increased spending in Health supplies Postponement of rent and utility payments for affected microenterprises and SMEs Extension of expiring unemployment benefits until the end of the lockdown Support for wages of workers under the reduced-hour scheme Direct financial support for affected microenterprises, independent workers, as well as for low-income households Allocation from Disaster Relief Fund to provide extra unemployment benefits Loan payment relief for students 48 | P a g e

Helping renters and homeowners avoid evictions and foreclosures Coronavirus relief funds in federal fiscal support for state and local governments Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program for self-employed, independent contractors and gig workers Additional allocation under “Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economy Security Act” to provide a food safety net for the most vulnerable and expand unemployment benefits 2 weeks paid sick leave; up to 3 months emergency leave for infected with food assistance Additional funding for public services and charities to support households and families Strengthening the social safety net to support vulnerable people by increasing payments under the Universal Credit scheme Up to 80% of the salary payment for income below 2,500 pound per month 6-month Job Support Scheme (JSS) whereby employers will pay the wages of staff for the hours they work while for the hours not worked the government and the employer will each pay one third of their equivalent salary Statutory Sick Pay relief package for SMEs Paying the minimum wage for 25 hours per week for six months for young workers at risk of long-term unemployment Financial supports to Low-income people who need to self-isolate and are unable to work

Apart from the immediate responses at the wake of pandemic, different countries sought for supplementary measures in the subsequent months of pandemic. With direct aids, supportive acts for employees and employers, governments across the world attempted to help citizens shoulder financial and social burdens of the pandemic.

Increased social assistance to support vulnerable section of population Several countries now have digitized rolls of families eligible for social assistance, along with a capability of making cash payments directly into bank accounts or into mobile wallets from which cash can be extracted at registered dealers. For example, Pakistan introduced the “Ehsaas Emergency Relief program” in April 2020, designed to provide 12 million families with a cash equivalent of $75.53 Macao Special Administrative Region introduced direct cash handouts to transfers to taxi drivers leasing a taxi, lessees of wet market stalls, holders of hawker licenses or holders of tricycle rickshaw licenses.54 Kenya appropriation of an additional KShs. 10 Billion (USD 100M) to the elderly, orphans and other vulnerable members of the society through cash transfers by the ministry of labour and social protection to cushion them from the adverse economic effects of COVID -19 pandemic.55 Turkey has given 1,000 Turkish liras ($150) cash support to 2.1 million low-income households, and decided to reach to another 2.3 million households to support nearly 4.5 million low-income families in total.

The impact of COVID-19 on global extreme poverty; Homi Kharas; Wednesday, October 21, 2020 https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19#B 55 https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/regional-country/country-responses/lang--en/index.htm#KE 54

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The country also raised the amount of funds provided to the social assistance and solidarity foundations to 180 million Turkish liras (nearly $26 million).56

Pro-poor measures providing direct benefits in terms of food and in-kind support57 Several countries including India tried to shield the poor and marginalised providing direct benefit with food and social security benefits with cash or kind. For example, Afghanistan provided free bread to the poor in Kabul, later extended to other cities. The government through its REACH program provided households in rural areas an equivalent of $50 in essential food staples and hygiene products, while households in urban areas are provided with combination of cash and in-kind equivalent to $100. Equador kept $250 million to distribute to poor families in terms of cash as well as food baskets. Ethiopia $635 million (0.6 percent of GDP) for emergency food distribution to 15 million individuals vulnerable to food insecurity. Honduras kept 0.2 percent of GDP for delivery of food supplies to poorer families. Madagascar ensured expansion of social assistance to the most vulnerable, including cashtransfers and in-kind necessities to the poorest. Zimbabwe authorities allocated ZWL$18 billion stimulus Package expanding social safety nets and food grants. Bolivia government instituted a program (Canasta Familiar) to make direct payments for food to 1.5 million families ($US 58 per family). The Gambia allocated GMD 800 million (US$ 15.8 million) nationwide food distribution program to benefit 84 percent of the households. Rwanda allocated 6.3 percent of GDP to support vulnerable households in the form of a food distribution program (door-to-door provision of basic food stuffs every three days) and cash supports to casual workers. Netherlands provided in-kind support for the health system and food packages for the vulnerable population distributed by the Red Cross. In South Africa, number of food parcels for distribution was increased and additional funds were allocated in the 2021 budget for public works programs. Uruguay allocated 0.2 percent of GDP to support vulnerable groups with cash and direct provision of food.

Work-life balance to boost productivity and rebuild economy Flexible four-day working week to boost productivity to rebuild New Zealand after COVID1958: The Chief Minister of New Zealand ordered employers for a four-day working week and other flexible working options as a way to boost tourism and help employees address persistent work/life balance issues. The country’s tourism market has taken a massive downturn after the pandemic, with all borders remaining closed to foreign nationals and many New Zealanders taking pay-cuts or tightening their belt in case of lay-offs. It was 56

“Steps taken by countries in fighting COVID-19 pandemic” ; Emre Aytekin; 20.04.2020 (Web: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/health/steps-taken-by-countries-in-fighting-covid-19-pandemic/1812009) 57 https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19#B 58 Jacinda Ardern flags four-day working week as way to rebuild New Zealand after Covid-19, The Guardian, Wed 20 May 2020 03.23 BST (web: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/20/jacinda-ardern-flags-four-day-working-week-asway-to-rebuild-new-zealand-after-covid-19)

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suggested because shorter week and more public holidays would stimulate the economy and encourage domestic tourism, while the borders remain closed to foreign nationals. The Chief Minister mentioned that New Zealand could model its new way of work on the German system of kurzarbeit, meaning “short work”, allowing more people to stay in jobs and using the extra day to upskill or retrain. Turkey, to protect employees, banned companies from terminating employment or service contract for three months. Turkey provided 1,177 Turkish liras (roughly $170), monthly to the workers whose contracts were terminated during their unpaid leave or unemployment period.59 In addition to Turkey, some other countries such as Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and Brazil also adopted measures aimed at protecting workers from unemployment, as mentioned in the table above.

Measures for robust health care system60 The spread of the virus brought a heavy burden on the healthcare systems in the most affected countries, and most of the countries faced problems in supplying basic protective gears such as, masks, gloves as well as testing kits and treatment services. In Turkey, the healthcare organizations were provided with 3.6 million N95 type medical masks, 1 million rapid testing kits were distributed, health personnel were provided performance-based payments at the ceiling level for three months. There is no free distribution of medical masks in countries other than Turkey, Spain, and Italy. Countries with the most confirmed cases offer COVID-19 tests free of charge, with the exceptions of Brazil and the Netherlands. The treatment for the disease is offered free in all countries apart from the Netherlands. The U.S. partly covered the treatment expenditure, whereas Iran charged people with 10% of the total cost.

International strategies to invoke Digital Technologies in the public-health responses61 Digital technologies are being harnessed to support the public-health response to COVID-19 worldwide, including population surveillance, case identification, contact tracing and evaluation of interventions on the basis of mobility data and communication with the public. Since The future of public health is likely to become increasingly digital, the use of digital technologies stands important to strengthen pandemic management, and future preparedness for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Case identification by online symptom reporting, as seen in Singapore and the UK, is traditionally used for surveillance, but it now offers advice on isolation and referrals to further healthcare services, such as video 59

“Steps taken by countries in fighting COVID-19 pandemic” ; Emre Aytekin; 20.04.2020 (Web: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/health/steps-taken-by-countries-in-fighting-covid-19-pandemic/1812009) 60 ibid 61 Budd, J., Miller, B.S., Manning, E.M. et al. Digital technologies in the public-health response to COVID-19. Nat Med 26, 1183–1192 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-1011-4

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assessments and testing. The COVID19 symptom-tracker app has been downloaded by 3.9 million people in the UK and USA and is feeding into national surveillance. This system has a has a crucial role in case identification, as an estimated 80% of COVID-19 cases are mild or asymptomatic. Contract tracing with Bluetooth enabled smartphone app has been adopted by few countries. In South Korea, contacts of confirmed cases were traced through the use of linked location, surveillance and transaction data. Contact-tracing apps have been launched in at least 40 countries. In China, the AliPay HealthCode app automatically detected contacts by concurrent location and automated the enforcement of strict quarantine measures by limiting the transactions permitted for users deemed to be high risk.

International solidarity to fight against Pandemic62 In a bid to support the international solidarity amid pandemic, Turkey dispatched medical equipment to nearly 30 countries, including the U.K., Spain, Italy, and the Balkan countries. Apart from Turkey, China extended help to 120 countries whereas the U.S. distributed medical equipment to 42. India helped 31 countries, and Russia provided support for 10 countries. Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the U.K., Portugal, and Israel were among the other countries which provided medical equipment for the sake of international solidarity.

Responses by United Nations System From the outset pf the pandemic, United Nations(UN) led on the global health response, provided life-saving humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable, established instruments for rapid responses to the socio-economic impact and laid out a broad policy agenda for action on all fronts. The United Nations response to COVID-19 for middle and low income countries and its impact has three overarching components. Firstly, a large-scale, coordinated and comprehensive health response, guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, which aims to mobilize all sectors and communities in the response, control and suppression of the transmission of the virus, reduce mortality by providing care for those affected, and develop safe and effective vaccines and therapeutics that can be delivered at scale and that are accessible based on need. Secondly, a wide-ranging effort to safeguard lives and livelihoods by addressing the devastating nearterm socio-economic, humanitarian and human rights aspects of the crisis with attention to those hit hardest. Thirdly, a transformative recovery process that leads to a better postCOVID-19 world by addressing underlying fragilities and identifying opportunities for transformative change towards more just, equal and resilient societies and economies. 62

“Steps taken by countries in fighting COVID-19 pandemic”; Emre Aytekin; 20.04.2020 (Web: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/health/steps-taken-by-countries-in-fighting-covid-19-pandemic/1812009)

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Emerging from this crisis is an opportunity to address the climate crisis, inequalities, exclusion, gaps in social protection systems and the many other injustices that have been exposed and exacerbated.

UN Family Support on the Ground Humanitarian & Development63 Household Support: - 36 Million HOUSEHOLDS benefiting from additional social assistance provided by governments with UN family support. - More than 430,000 people have accessed protection services Child Protection: - 227 MILLION CHILDREN assisted with distance or home-based learning; - There are 58 countries in which minimum child protection services are operational; - 11.5 MILLION CHILDREN AND ADULTS provided with safe and accessible channel to report sexual exploitation and abuse; 1.27 MILLION CHILDREN aged 6-59 months admitted for treatment of severe acute malnutrition

Women Protection: - 48 COUNTRIES where gender-based violence services have been maintained or expanded in

response to COVID-19 - More than 5 MILLION WOMEN reached with services, information and supplies for sexual and reproductive health Measures for Refugees, Migrants: - 45.3 MILLION REFUGEES and migrants who are particularly vulnerable to the pandemic and received assistance. - 49 COUNTRIES where refugee, migrant areas and host communities reached by information campaigns about pandemic risks. Socio-Economic Response Plans - 96 UN Country Teams completed socio-economic response plans - $31.9 billion in estimated costs of socio-economic response plans National Response Plans - 84 UN Country Teams are jointly supporting national socio-economic response plans

$11 billion is the estimated total funding gap of the costed plans

United Nations Comprehensive Response to COVID-19: Saving Lives, Protecting Societies, Recovering Better; September 2020

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7. WHAT MEASURES INDIA NEEDS TO HANDLE FUTURE PANDEMIC: FEW RECOMMENDATIONS Comprehensive strengthening of public health system and stepping up of investment in public health India’s relatively low healthcare resources, limited state capacity, and large population of poor people, many of whom are already burdened with other health issues, pose challenges in handling the health pandemic. India has a weak healthcare system, and even the parts of the system that otherwise function well are currently stifled because of a weak government response. Firstly, the low testing capacity as because the government has only approved 132 labs (hence, 1 testing facility per 10 million people and all 132 facilities combined can test a maximum of 10,000 samples a day).64 Secondly, India has not yet been able to scale up its manufacturing of personal protective equipment and testing kits. Although the government is encouraging domestic producers, past regulations that stifled manufacturing, in addition to the current lockdown, create a lot of friction in the process of scaling up production. In order to pass these difficulties, experts recommended that, i) The Indian government should announce a commitment to pay any private Indian lab running coronavirus tests at least the current cost of tests run at government lab and ii) Any test kit approved in China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States, or Western Europe should be immediately approved in India.65 Studies66 suggest that in the new stimulus initiative announced by Government at the wake of COVID, a total of six announcements under two major categories were made – ‘Increase investments in public health’ and ‘Preparing India for any future pandemic’. However, schemes and programmes already in existence or approved earlier were not even properly repackaged and hurriedly presented as new initiatives. ‘Increase investments in public health’ is something being announced in 12th Five year plan (2012-2017) also with an increase in public health outlay to the 2.5 percent of GDP, which has not been realised yet. On the other hand, in terms of public health infrastructure, there lies much of gaps. A recent report (Rural Health Statistics) shows that, as of March 2019, 96% of functioning Sub Centers, 92% of Primary Health Centres and 79% Community Health Centres in rural areas did not meet the 64

https://www.mercatus.org/publications/covid-19-policy-brief-series/pandemic-policy-developing-countriesrecommendations-india 65 ibid 66 “Nothing Really New: Stimulus Package for Health Sector So Far Has Been Unimpressive”; Pratyush Singh; 25/MAY/2020

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revised Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS) norms. Also, there is an 80% shortage of specialist doctors in community health centres (CHCs) in rural areas. The plan to open ‘Infectious Disease Hospitals Blocks’ in all districts, as announced in the stimulus package, is also an essential part of the emergency response to the pandemic in the World Bank loan agreement. But, specialised hospitals/blocks could provide temporary respite but it can never be an alternative to a robust health system. 40 percent positions of lab technicians are vacant at PHCs and CHCs in the country and hence how will an infectious disease hospital run without well-trained lab technicians remains yet another unanswered question.67 Stuck at around 1.15% of GDP for well over a decade, the low level of public spending on health is both a cause and an exacerbating factor accounting for the poor quality, limited reach and insufficient structure and public provisioning of healthcare. Not addressing weaknesses in the public health delivery system can thwart all efforts at reviving the economy. Investing in health, apart from improving people’s well-being, is also essential for accelerating and sustaining India’s economic growth. Announcing a new ‘health investment plan’ (as part of the stimulus package) is the urgent need of the hour. At least 1% of GDP out of the stimulus package should be earmarked for improving the country’s health infrastructure and strengthening public health service delivery. And up to 70% of the additional expenditures should be ring-fenced for primary healthcare and further strengthening health and wellness centres, primary health centres and community health centres. Only then can State governments be better prepared to face a second round of the pandemic.68

Reviving Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) and promotion of monthly basic income support The importance of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has increased manifold in 2020 at the wake of COVID, with most of the workers living in different cities moved back to their villages. The report, a ‘NREGA National Tracker’, was published by People’s Action for Employment Guarantee (PAEG) over 1 crore more households took up work under the MNREGA in 2020 compared to last year69, at the situation of economic hardship. The report showed that from April 2020 to November 2020, there was a 43 percent increase in the number of person days generated, as compared to the same period last year. According to PAEG, this means that the government should have made provisions for at least 379 crore person days in the labour Budget this year.70 However, as of now, funds have been allocated only for 324 crore person days. Academicians and activists showed that while more

ibid Where is health in the stimulus package? A.K. Shiva Kumar; MAY 18, 2020 69 MNREGA during COVID-19 pandemic: More households got work in 2020, but fund crunch a major concern, finds study; Neerad Pandharipande; December 31, 2020 70 ibid 68

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people availed of it in 2020 compared to last year, the shortfall in funds allocated for the scheme is a major worry. 45.6 lakh households that applied for a job card were not issued one this year71 because of the budget constraint. There are also significant state-wise variations in the way MNREGA has performed through the past year. For example, in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, the percentage of households whose demand for MNREGA work was unmet at some point of the year was 25 percent and 23 percent respectively. On the other hand, West Bengal and Rajasthan did better on this front, and the corresponding figures for the two states were 7 percent and 8 percent respectively. Nationwide, 13 percent of households found their demand for work unmet at some point during the year. This situation calls for large-scale opening of NREGA works on a proactive basis. Every village needs at least one major worksite, where a good number of people can work at short notice (with adequate distancing precautions). Given the plight of migrant labour and the long -term effects of corona pandemic on the rural economy, time has also to come to reimagine NREGA as universal basic income guarantee scheme. Linking MGNREGA with direct-cash transfer has the potential to mitigate economic hardship of landless labour, small-marginal farmers, and seasonal migrants in India. Experts72 recommend to consider a return to cash payment of NREGA wages, at least as an option for the duration of the crisis. This would help to ensure timely and reliable payment of wages. As suggested by leading development economist Pranab Bardhan, a modest amount of Rs 16000 per year direct cash transfer to a household of five would be sufficient. According to another expert, transferring half of the last year’s wages of MGNREGS workers as advance into their accounts would also alleviate their suffering from economic crisis.73 In short, with a monthly basic income support combined with 100 days of legally guaranteed rural works, NREGA would help ameliorate the plight of elderly, widowed, and disabled in rural India and also obviate the need for multiple conflicting income support schemes for farmers in rural India.74

Shielding poor by taxing rich Despite resuming of economic activities post lock down, different section of population including informal sector workers as well as many of the middle class workers faced unemployment or loss of wage. Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy data, for instance, finds75 that the proportion of households who said that their finances were worse compared to a year ago has risen to 45% in the first fortnight of April 2020 from 8%-9% in January and

MNREGA during COVID-19 pandemic: More households got work in 2020, but fund crunch a major concern, finds study; Neerad Pandharipande; December 31, 2020 72 Jean Drèze ; MAY 25, 2020; “The need for a million worksites now”; (web: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-need-for-a-million-worksites-now/article31665949.ece) 73 T M Thomas Isaac, MAY 19 2020; “Package of numbers, not relief” 74 The Times of India; Ashwani Kumar; May 28, 2020; “Reviving and reforming MGNREGA” (web: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/reviving-and-reforming-mgnrega/) 75 Modi’s ‘atmanirbhar’ plan does little to help those worst hit by lockdown; Dipa Sinha; May 19, 2020

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February. Further, they find that the unemployment rate was as high as 27% in the week ending on May 3 and 114 million jobs were lost in April, with small traders and wage labourers bearing most of the brunt. To revive economy, one of the way for the Government is to take innovative measure to augment tax revenue. However, charging indirect taxes on the commodities would have adverse effect of the already suffering section of poor population by reducing the consumption demand which in turn would hamper in reviving the economy. However, studies76 suggest that, the government can help the most underprivileged of its citizens by investing in them and keeping their needs in mind instead of just looking out for a handful of rich people by abolishing tax. Oxfam’s annual report on inequality says that India has performed poorly in this year’s report with 1% of India’s richest population having four times more wealth than 70% of the country’s poorest. Hence, according to the experts, a trio of wealth tax, inheritance tax and higher income tax could hold the key to solving India’s inequality issue. More tax revenue can be generated by levying higher income tax from the citizens who have ability to pay taxes. Similarly, the government can re-introduce the wealth tax which has been demolished earlier to increase tax revenue of the country which would be helpful in reducing the income inequalities as well as the surplus revenue would help in investing in social welfare scheme for the needy. The IMF’s Fiscal Monitor shows that raising taxes for higher earners is an effective way of reducing inequality without having any adverse impact on economic growth.77 Another way to augment tax revenue is to re-introduce the inheritance tax by India Government. Wealth held by billionaires in India arises from three major sources – inheritance, self-made, and inherited and growing. Inheritance tax is vital to prevent excessive concentrations of wealth and power in the hands of a few and to ensure greater equality of opportunity across generations by reducing the amount of wealth that can be handed down through families. Countries such as Chile and South Africa have raised taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals generating millions of dollars to invest in vital public services. 78

Provision of food security through universalization of PDS and designing of safety-net schemes While overall, India had few choices other than some version of a lockdown, a poorly planned and executed lockdown has created a serious humanitarian problem. Most Indians work in the informal sector, and India has 275 million persons who live below the poverty line of $1.25 a day (approximately 3,000 rupees per month). The most important component of the 76

Government of India is under taxing big corporates and billionaires; SEP 28, 2020 ibid 78 ibid 77

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stimulus and relief package was the provision of 10 kilograms of food grain and 1 kilogram of lentils per person per month under the public distribution system (PDS). The main problem was that many of the families lacked “ration card” required to access the local PDS ration store. In this situation, the viable recommendation was that Union and state governments should suspend the requirement of a ration card and accept any valid ID to distribute the inkind transfer. About 850 million Indians have voter identification cards, and more than a billion have the biometrically linked AADHAAR card. Both are good substitutes for the ration card to provide immediate relief.79 Also, Centre must release extra quantities of Food Corporation of India's foodgrain stocks to States at zero or nominal rates. As per the present statistics, 86 per cent of vulnerable households are receiving PDS ration and leaves behind around 500 million people, many of whom are very poor(CBGA, 2020). Universalization PDS will include these excluded families with extra stock of food grains released by the Centre. In times of distress, inability of a working member to earn is a common cause of impoverishment. Some steps have been taken in the past to ensure financial inclusion and risk insurance, but we do not have one for basic sustenance during a disaster—targeting the millions of poor who need it the most. India has been successful in vastly reducing the number of the poor living in extreme poverty. However, the pandemic is threatening to unravel the gains and add another 176 million to the poor category. Governments can influence factors affecting stunting and hunger by adopting policy measures of increasing incomes of the poor through a cash transfer programme, and by promoting dietary diversity in agriculture, i.e. include safety net schemes (short term) and agricultural interventions (long term). Specific safety-net schemes can be designed to support the needy (BPL/AAY category) during periods of extreme emergencies. It is primarily a Direct Benefit Transfer to assist the destitute and protect the vulnerable, to tackle the three challenges imposed on PDS—affordability due to lack of sufficient regular income, leakages wherein intended beneficiaries are left untargeted, and provision of appropriate nutritional requirements. These schemes can be implemented at scale, and can explicitly target the poor and the vulnerable during periods of distress.80 The safety-net schemes can be the direct benefit transfer of about Rs 700 per month per family and Rs 500 per month per family for AAY and BPL households, respectively, that can improve their net benefits by 25-30% and better than physically distributing grain to the families.81 The finance minister’s stimulus package announced cash transfers of 500 rupees per month through Jan Dhan accounts to approximately 200 million female beneficiaries. The stimulus also provides a one-time transfer of 1,000 rupees to 30 million senior citizens. However, India’s stimulus and economic relief package is the smallest in the world, including among emerging economies, whereas lock down measures had been stringent particularly for its

Shruti Rajagopalan; Alexander Tabarrok (2020); Pandemic Policy in Developing Countries: Recommendations for India. Web- https://www.mercatus.org/publications/covid-19-policy-brief-series/pandemic-policy-developing-countriesrecommendations-india 80 “Shielding the poor from the COVID-19 pandemic”; Ramji Krishnan & Vidya Ramji; August 19, 2020 81 ibid

58 | P a g e

poorest citizens. In this regard, one study82 recommended that a direct cash transfer of a minimum of 3000 rupees per month to be distributed through Jan Dhan accounts. According to another study, the direct transfer amount to be as high as Rs 7,500 to every Jan Dhan account.83

Budget for NREGA not to be reduced The pandemic and its consequences in economy has shown that heavy dependence on MGNREGA for employment in the country and the government needed to push the scheme by taking a number of measure. However, experts say that ‘it was disappointing that the Government of India had ignored the current rural employment distress even though there was a need to maximise the spending in MGNREGA for enhancing rural demand’. 84 Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget 2021-22 allocates Rs 73,000 crore for MGNREGA, which is 34.52 per cent below the Revised Estimate of Rs 111,500 crore for 202021 (that is, Rs 38,500 crore less over last year’s revised estimates). This reduced provision will cover only 2.7-2.8 billion person days for next year, against the present total number of person days of 3.4 billion.85 That means, the scope of employment will be limited and will result in indefinite delays in wage payments in the coming year. The massive underestimation in the budget allocation will only result in distress in vulnerable households, even in a situation of continuing high demand under the scheme at the height of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This under investment had happened every year in the last few years, leading to huge wage arrears. NREGA is supposed to be a demand-driven programme with an open-ended budget, Government should ensure that the funds never dry up and ensure more funds to be allocated in this scheme keeping pace with the demand for work. Nothing in the Act authorises the government to impose a budget cap.

Involving Community Based Organizations/Non Government Organizations in reaching economically vulnerable With the sudden announcement of lock down and ‘stay at home’ direction of Government of India, it was very important to quickly address the problems faced by the marginalised sections of population and save the lives of hardest hit section who suddenly lost income. As 82

Shruti Rajagopalan; Alexander Tabarrok (2020); Pandemic Policy in Developing Countries: Recommendations for India. T M Thomas Isaac, MAY 19 2020; “Package of numbers, not relief” 84 Debamalya Nandy, Member, NREGA Sangharsh Morcha told Down To Earth (DTE); “Is Union Budget 2021-22 MGNREGA allocation enough to alleviate rural distress” 85 “Is Union Budget 2021-22 MGNREGA allocation enough to alleviate rural distress”; 01 February 2021; (webhttps://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/governance/is-union-budget-2021-22-mgnrega-allocation-enough-to-alleviaterural-distress-75292) 83

59 | P a g e

evident in different studies and reports, non-government organizations and community based organizations jumped in to help the people in need by either distributing dry ration, feeding with hot cooked meal or arranging shelters. 84.26 lakh people have been provided meals across the country during the lockdown, of which nearly 37% people were fed by NGOs. In Gujarat, NGOs fed 93% of the people who were provided meals, while in Andhra the figure was 92%.86 In a press release the Government of India recognized their role saying, "NGOs and charitable organisations are playing an important role in providing cooked food to thousands of poor and needy people during this time of nationwide lockdown." The NITI Aayog reaching out to the CSOs and seeking their support to assist the government in the fight against COVID-19 is certainly a welcome step. However, few states did not allow NGOs to distribute food or ration to the needy during the lock down period. For example, Government of Bihar did not allow civil society groups/NGOs to distribute any relief materials including food. To confirm this a letter (dated April 1st, 2020) was issued by the District Collector of Darbhanga district, which stated that i) the Chief Minister Office had announced that no NGO will be allowed to work on COVID19 relief; ii) that all relief has to be channelled through the government and iii) that the permits issued to local NGOs for food distribution will be revoked. Ideally, in order to save live and revive economy, public consultations need to be institutionalised with strong collaboration by central and state governments with local CBOs/NGOs. In such collaboration, NGOs can play vital role by collecting funds for government and distributing essentials to affected people; creating mass awareness volunteering door-to-door campaign; participating in formulating health policies; conducting health camp; preventing panic-buying of essential commodities and many others.

Coronavirus in India: In 13 states, NGOs fed more people than govt did during lockdown; Mukesh Rawat; New Delhi April 9, 2020

60 | P a g e

ANNEXURES FISCAL AND MONITORY RESPONSES ANNOUNCED BY CENTRAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS

61 | P a g e

ANNEXURE 1: FISCAL AND MONITORY RESPONSES ANNOUNCED BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT Sl.No Order 1

Food (Including PDS):

Date

Announced By

Types

07/04/2020

Labour Commissioner

Govt.

The officers of the Department of Labour and Employment are appointed as designated Nodal Officers for

Order

the subjects mentioned against their names. The subjects are about the :



deduction of wages



retrenchment matters



Migrant laborers



Dihadi labourer



Hunger Helpline number and its coordination.

Food (Including PDS):

26/03/2020

Feeding Centers for providing cooked food for persons engaged in beggary. Full cost to be borne by MoSJ.

Ministry of Social

Govt.

Justice and

Order

Empowerment 3

Food (Including PDS):

04/03/2020

On 28/03/2020, the Central Government has allowed the State Government to use SDRF for providing food

Ministry of Home

Press

Affairs

release

Finance Minister

Press

and shelter to homeless people including migrant laborers. 4

Food (Including PDS): i.

80 cr poor people will get over and above the 5 kgs of wheat/rice they already get. Another 5

26/03/2020

release

kgs will be for free per month, for the next 3 months. ii.

1 kg of pulses (acc. regional preferences) per household will be provided for free. 62 | P a g e

Food (Including PDS): i.

26/03/2020

Ministry of Finance

Poor and needy’ to get free 5 kilogrammes wheat/rice along with one kilogramme of pulses for the

Press release

next three months, in addition to the ration received by them under the National Food Security Act. ii.

Free Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders to be provided to 8.3 crore (83 million) BPL families across the country for the next three months.

Food (Including PDS):

26/03/2020

10 internally identified Municipal Corporations to set up feeding centres for persons "engaged in beggary".

Ministry of Social

Directive

Justice and Empowerment

Food (Including PDS):

26/03/2020

Standard operating procedure for Maintaining supply of essential goods including supply, storage, transport

Ministry of Home

SOP

Affairs

and manufacturing. Setting up of a control Room 8

Food (Including PDS):

26/03/2020

Guidelines laid down for ensuring the uninterrupted supply of essential goods including health infrastructure

Ministry of Home

Letter

Affairs

and home delivery of food along with the Standard Operating Procedure imposing restrictions on movement of people but not that of essential goods 9

Food (Including PDS):

28/03/2020

Provision of free food to homeless in NULM shelters during lockdown. Amount up to ₹100/- per homeless

Ministry of Housing &

Govt.

Urban Affairs

order

Ministry of Fisheries,

Directive

person per day from Mission funds (central & state). Food to be provided by Shelter Management Agencies and their dues to be cleared. 10

Food (Including PDS):

28/03/2020

Families are supported with ration and essential supplies and adequate food, water, shelter and sanitary

Animal Husbandry and

supplies are made available for them.

Dairy 63 | P a g e

Food (Including PDS):

29/03/2020

Adequate arrangement of food and shelter for migrant workers stranded due to lockdown. 12

Food (Including PDS):

29/03/2020

Groceries included in the lockdown guidelines and milk collection and distribution to be allowed. 13

Food (Including PDS):

31/03/2020

Persons with disablities are to be given access to essential food, water, medicine.

Ministry of Home

Govt.

Affairs

order

Ministry of Home

Govt.

Affairs

order

Department of

Govt.

Empowerment of

order

Persons with Disabilities 14

Food (Including PDS):

01/04/2020

Migrant workers in Relief camps /shelter homes should be provided adequate medical facilities besides

Department of Health

Govt.

and Family Welfare

order

Ministry of Home

Govt.

Affairs

order

Supreme Court of

Court

India

order

NITI Ayog

Advisory

proper arrangements for food, clean drinking water and sanitation. 15

Food (Including PDS):

02/04/2020

Distribution of food items and nutrition support by Angandwadi workers, once in 15 days, at the door step of beneficiaries- children, women and lactating mothers 16

Food (Including PDS):

30/04/2020

The petitioners argued for the necessity of providing ration to people who do not have ration card and also for universilization of the Public Distribution System. The SC, however, ruled that this being a policy issue, it is left open to the Government of India and also the concerned States/Union Territories to consider such relief. The SC directed the petitioners to serve a copy of the writ petition upon Mr. Tushar Mehta, learned Solicitor General appearing for the Union of India immediately. With that aforesaid observation, the Writ Petition is disposed off. Pending application filed in the matter also stands disposed off. 17

Food (Including PDS):

15/04/2020

64 | P a g e

NITI Aayog writes to all Chief Secreteraries of all states/UTs requesting them to issue suitable instructions to DMs to ensure none of the poor in their districts go hungry and shelterless. 18

Food (Including PDS):

16/04/2020

NITI Ayog

Advisory

21/04/2020

Home Secretary,

Notificati

Per the order of Home secretary, Home affairs, Supply of essentails goods such as breaf factories, milk

Government of India,

processing plants, flour mills, dal mills etc. in urban areas are allowed to remain functional. However,

Ministry of Home

standard operating procedures for social distancing should be adhered

Affairs

NITI Aayog writes to all CSOs and NGOs including those registered on NITI Aayog Darpan Portal/FCRI regarding obtaining foodgrains to ensure no one in the country remains hungry. NITI Aayog requests them to immediately contact their district collectors or FCI manager for the same. The letter notes that the PMGKY and SDRF funds, alongwith the directions in the letter from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, includes adequate financial mechanisms to ensure all the poor persons - including migrants, farmers, disabled, construction workers, widows and senior citizens do not suffer the lack of food and shelter. 19

Food (Including PDS):

Food (Including PDS): Ministry of CA,F&PD vide its letter dated 08.04.2020 to FCI Headquarters has communicated that it has been

11/04/2020

Food Corporation of

Advisory

India

decided that as an one time measure, charitable/non-governmental organizations running relief camps/providing food to needy people may be provided foodgrain(both wheat and rice) under OMSS(D) at OMSS rates and without the need for registration/empanelment with FCI or the need to participate in eauction.

65 | P a g e

Food (Including PDS):

28/04/2020

Ministry of Consumer

Govt.

Under the pro-poor initiatives announced under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package due to COVID -19

Affairs, Food & public

Order

situation, additional foodgrain @ 5kg/person/month to be provided for free of cost for 3 months i.e.

distribution

between April - June 2020 to all beneficiaries covered under TPDS as per provisions of NFSA. The above allocation will be over and above the regular monthly allocation of foodgrains under NFSA. 22

Food (Including PDS):

Ministry of Consumer

Memoran

Stranded Migrants, not covered by the National Food Security Act or State Scheme PDS will be given 5 kg of 15/05/2020

Affairs, Food and

dums

foodgrains per month free of cost for two months, that is, May and June. The indentification of beneficiaries

Public Distribution

and the distribution of foodgrain is the responsibility of the respective State/UT Governments. The State/UT Governments may report the distribution details and whether there is any left over grain to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution by the 15th of July. The annexure contains the allotment of foodgrain to each state, and the proportions in which the alloted food grain is to be distributed. 23

FOOD (including PDS): Advisory related to Food security and Public Distribution

28/09/2020

NHRC Advisory

⁃ Coverage of the public distribution system should be increased with immediate effect to cover at least 67% of the population ⁃ The coverage extension has to be done in a manner where people can be given temporary ration cards with minimal documentary ⁃ The PDS should include nutritious food like pulses, edible oils, eggs and sugar ⁃ Provide support to the states by providing subsidised grain to run community kitchens/feeding centres ⁃ Relax the requirement of mandatory Aadhar for accessing PDS entitlements during the Covid - 19 period ⁃ Timely distribution of food grains must be ensured 66 | P a g e

Sl.No Order 24

Migrant- Stranded persons:

Date

Announced By

Source

04/03/2020

Ministry of Home

Press

Affairs

release

20/03/2020

NITI Ayog

Directive

27/03/2020

PIB

Press

Food and shelter to Migrants 25

Migrants- Stranded persons: Help administration set up community kitchens and shelters for migrants and homeless persons.

Migrants- Stranded persons: Protection and support for stranded migrant workers, students etc. wherever they are stuck

Migrants- Stranded persons:

release 28/03/2020

1. Central Government has requested all the State Governments to set up relief camps for migrant

Ministry of Home

Press

Affairs

release

Ministry of Home

Govt.

Affairs

order

Ministry of Home

Govt.

Affairs

order

workers/pilgrims who are returning to their domicile states. 2. States are advised to give publicity and awareness using public address system, NGOs for the information on: a) The locations of the relief camps and facilities being made available. b) Measures taken by the State Government. c) Relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. 28

Migrants- Stranded workers:

29/03/2020

Non-eviction of migrant workers and students by landlords; no demand of rent for one month.Arrangement of adequate temporary shelters for the poor and needy including migrant labourers. 29

Migrants- Stranded persons: Use of SDRF for homeless people including migrant labourers stranded due to lockdown.

29/03/2020

67 | P a g e

Migrants- Stranded persons:

30/03/2020

Arrangements of temporary shelters/provision of food to be made by Regional Labour Commissioners. RLCs

Ministry of Labour and

Directive

Employment

to also attend to distress calls by workers with reduction in salary or termination. 31

Migrants- Stranded persons:

31/03/2020

Migrant workers who are still in the cities of their local residence or have reached their destinations

Identification (By District Surveillance Officer in case the worker has reached the destination)



District health administration to depute a team which would include District Surveillance Officer/his

Ministry of Health and

Guideline

Family Welfare

Department of Health

Govt.

and Family Welfare

order

Supreme Court of

Court

India

order

representative and public health personnel. Thermal screening of all such persons shall be done by this team. 

Those with symptoms referred to designated COVID-19 treatment hospital for isolation and testing



Those who are not exhibiting any such symptoms to undergo a risk profiling.



Those who are above 60 years or have co-morbidities to be shifted to facility quarantine. Others would undergo home quarantine for 14 days.



IDSP to monitor those under home/facility quarantine.

Establishment of quarantine centre for migrant workers who are on their way and are yet to reach their destination city/village. 32

Migrant- Stranded workers:

01/04/2020

trained counsellor and/or community group leaders belonging to all faiths will visit the relief camps/shelter homes and deal with any consternation that the migrants might be going through in all the relief camps/shelter homes wherever migrants are located in the country' 33

Migrant- Stranded workers:

01/04/2020

68 | P a g e

1) The migrant workers in Relief camps /shelter homes should be provided adequate medical facilities besides

proper

arrangements

for

food,

clean

drinking

water

and

sanitation.

2) The trained counsellor and/or community group leaders belonging to all faiths will visit the relief camps/shelter homes and deal with any consternation that the migrants might be going through. This shall be done in all the relief camps/shelter homes wherever migrants are located in the country' 3) The anxiety and fear of the migrants should be understood by the police and other authorities and they should

deal

with

the

migrants

humane

manner.

4) The state Governments/union Territories should endeavour to engage volunteers along with the police to supervise the welfare activities of the migrants and all concerned to appreciate the trepidation of the poor men, women and children and treat them with kindness. 34

Migrant- Stranded workers:

08/04/2020

The order directs that information on stranded migrant labour is to be collected urgently from the relief

Ministry of Labour and

Govt.

Employment

order

Ministry of Home

Govt.

Affairs

order

camp/shelter, employers whose labour is staying at the work place and areas where migrants are clustered. The District Administration is tasked with collecting the data. The data to be collected is detailed in the order, this includes: Native states of the migrants, occupation, address, bank a/c no., aadhar no. etc. The comprehensive data in respect of the migrant workers collected should be in three drfferent categories that is mentioned as below .- (A) Relief Camps/Shette(District Wise) (B) Employers Whose Labour is lN-SITU at work place (C) Local where Migrant Workers are generally Clustered (other than ,A, and ,B') 35

Migrant- Stranded workers: Through this order, the Central Government has allowed inter-state movement of stranded people including

29/04/2020

migrant labourers in the country in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists,

69 | P a g e

students and other persons who are stranded at different places in the country will be allowed to move as follows: 

States / UTs to designate nodal authorities to develop protocols for receiving and sending stranded people, and also register people stranded internally



Such people will be allowed to move between one State/ UT to another State/ UT, after the concerned states consult each other and mutually agree.



Movement will be through road only.



Moving person will be screened, only asymptomatic persons would be allowed to proceed.



Buses would be used for groups of persons and states on transit routes to allow passager



At the destination, such person(s) would be assessed by the local health authorities, and kept in home quarantine, unless the assessment requires keeping the person in institutional quarantine. They would be kept under watch with periodic health check-ups.



Such persons would be encouraged to use Aarogya Setu app through which their health status can be monitored and tracked.

 36

Guidelines of home quarantine may be referred to and followed.

Migrant- Stranded workers:

01/05/2020

Ministry of Home

Govt.

In continuation of the order dated 29th April, 2020 by which the Ministry of Home Affairs permitted intra-

Affairs, Government of order

state movement of stranded persons, this particular order allows special trains to be operated by Ministry

India

of Railways (MoR). MoR will designate nodal officer for coordination with States / UTs. Guidelines for sale of tickets and other safety protocols will also be issued by MoR. 37

Migrant- Stranded workers:

01/05/2020

Ministry of Railways

Press release

70 | P a g e

Railways to start special "Shramik Trains" for the movement of migrant labourers, students, pilgrims and other stranded persons. These special trains will be run from point to point on the request of both the concerned State Governments as per the standard protocols for sending and receiving such stranded persons. Social distancing norms will be followed. Mandatory to wear a face mask. Food and water shall be provided by the originating state. Upon arrival at destination, arrangements shall be made for screening and quarantine of the travellers. 38

Migrant- Stranded workers:

03/05/2020

MHA Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-1(A) dated 29 April 2020 only meant to facilitate movement of such stranded

Home Secretary,

Govt.

Government of India

order

Ministry of Railways,

Guideline

Government of India

persons who had moved away from their native places and could not return due to the lockdown imposed, and not to any other category of individuals. 39

Migrant- Stranded workers: With reference to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ order on movement of migrant workers and stranded

02/05/2020

persons, Indian Railways has decided to operate “Shramik Special” trains. The following guidelines are issued for the same: 

States / UTs shall designate nodal authorities for coordination and develop standard operating protocols



Sending and receiving states may consult and mutually agree on movement by rail.



Originating state will finalize requirement and communicate to Nodal Officer of Railways.



Shramik Special train shall be non-stop bound for a single destination, and will be run for distances more than 500kms. Following social distancing norms, train can carry approximately 1200 passengers each. Occupany should not be less than 90%



All persons travelling will be screen for symptoms. Only asymptomatic persons will be allowed to travel.

71 | P a g e



Shramik Special trains are for only those persons who have been cleared for travel for originating state in consultation with receiving state, and not for general public.



For sale of tickets - Railways will print tickets for exact number of passengers indicated by originating state and hand over to local state government authority, which shall hand over tickets to passengers cleared by them, collect fare, and hand over amount to Railways.



State government shall provide food packets and drinking water at originating points. For journey beyond 12 hours, one meal will be provided by railways.



It will be mandatory for passengers to wear face cover. Originating state will encourage passengers to use Aarogya Setu app.

 40

Receiving state will make arrangements for screen and quarantine of passengers.

Migrant- Stranded workers:

03/05/2020

Ministry of Railways

Government of Railways has issued a press release that railways will be not selling any tickets at the railway

Press release

stations as state governments and central government prepare to arrange trains for the stranded migrant workers. The workers will have to follow the registration guidelines decided per the state governments 41

Migrant- Stranded workers:

11/05/2020

Home Secretary

Directive

Since the movement of migrant by buses and 'Shramik Special' trains has already been allowed, State Governments should ensure migrant workers do not resort to walking on roads and railway tracks. In case they are found in such condition, they should be counselled, taken to nearby shelters, provided with food, water, etc till they can be facilitated to board buses or trains to their native place. State Governments must cooperate with the Railways to facilitate movement of more 'Shramik Special' trains and allow receiving them without hindrance.

72 | P a g e

Migrant- Stranded workers:

15/05/2020

Home Secretary,

Home Secretary asking states to counsel migrants if they are walking home on road or on railway tracks.

Government of India,

They must be taken to the nearby shelters and should be provided with Food, Water,etc.

MHA

They

must

facilitated

board

the

Shramik

special

Directive

trains.

It is the responsibility of all states and UTs to ensure that movement of stranded migrants is facilitated and counsel them not to walk towards home. States must disseminate arrangements of travel in trains and buses amongst the migrant workers. 43

Migrant- Stranded workers:

28/03/2020

Ministry of Home

Govt.

Affairs

order

Home secretary,

Govt.

MHA DO Lr. Dt. 16.5.2020 to Chief Secretaries and Administrators regarding online National Migrant

Ministry of Home

order

Information

Affairs

The government of India notified that the relief measures pertaining to accommodation, food, clothing, medical care etc shall be applicable to the homeless people, migrant laborers stranded due to lockdown and sheltering in relief camps and other places. This has been undertaken for the purpose of containment of COVID-19 in the nation. 44

Migrant- Stranded workers:

16/05/2020

System

Dashbord:

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has developed an online Dashboard namely, National Migrant Information System (NMIS), on the existing NDMA-GIS portal. The portal will maintain a central repository and help the sending as well as receiving State/ district to ask for and give their acceptance in an online Some

format of

key

features

the

seamlessly. system

include

the

following:

• States can upload batch file of individual data on the portal. As many States have already collected migrant data, this can be integrated through Application Programming Interface (API). 73 | P a g e

• The key data pertaining to the persons migrating has been standardized for uploading such as name, age, mobile no, originating 86 destination district, date of travel etc which States are already collecting. • States will be able to visualize how many people are going out from where and how many are reaching destination states. • The mobile numbers of people can be used for contact tracing and movement monitoring during COVID19. • A unique ID is generated for each migrant, which can be used for all transactions. • GOI nodal Ministries can also monitor the movement of migrants though this portal. 45

Migrant- Stranded workers:

18/05/2020

In a communication to the States, Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has noted that fear of COVID-19

Ministry of Home

Directive

Affairs

infection and apprehension of loss of livelihood are the main driving factors for the movement of stranded workers towards their homes. In order to mitigate the distress of migrant workers, the communication stresses on a number of measures that may be taken by the State governments, pro-actively in coordination with

the

Centre.

These

are:

Operation of more special trains by pro-active coordination between States and with Ministry of Railways; Increase in number of buses for transporting migrants; allowing entry of buses carrying migrants at interstate border; More clarity may be given about departure of trains/ buses, as lack of clarity coupled with rumours caused unrest amongst the workers; Arrangement of designated rest places, with adequate facilities for sanitation, food and healthcare, could be made by the States on routes where migrants are known to be already travelling on foot; District Authorities may guide workers moving on foot to designated rest places, nearby bus terminals or railway stations by arranging transportation; Special attention may be given to the specific requirements of women, children and elderly amongst the migrant workers; District 74 | P a g e

Authorities may involve NGO representatives at rest places etc, to alleviate the notion of long quarantine at rest places. Workers may also be encouraged to remain at places where they are; Enlisting the migrants with their addresses and contact numbers. This may be helpful in contact tracing in due course. The communication reiterates that District Authorities must ensure that no migrant worker has to resort to walking on roads or railway tracks to reach his/her destination. They may request Ministry of Railways for running trains, as per requirement. 46

Migrant- Stranded workers: MoR in consultation with MoHFW and MHA will allow Partial restoration of Train Services 

200 passenger service trains to start from 01/06/2020 (special trains on Regular Trains pattern)



Ticket booking to start from 21/05/2020, 10:00 am



These 200 are in addition to the Shramik Trains and 30 Special AC trains



AC, non AC, and General coaches with reserved seating only (no unreserved)



Normal fares; for General coaches, second seating (2S) fare to be charged



Tickets only available on the IRCTC website and app (no reservation counter or agents allowed)



30 day advance reservation period



RAC and Waitlist generated as per extant rules (wait list people not permitted on trains)



No unreserved tickets or tickets after boarding



No tatkal or premium tatkal permitted



First chart prepared 4 hours and Second chart prepared 2 hours before departure time (only online

20/05/2020

Ministry of Railways

Press release

booking allowe between charts)

75 | P a g e



Compulsory screening of passengers - only asymptomatic persons allowed (passengers to reach 90 minutes before departure time for screening)



Persons with confirmed tickets onlt allowed to enter the railway station



Face masks compulsory



Social distancing to be observed at all stations



Health protocols of receiving state to be obeyed Quotas



All quotas applicable (just like regular trains)



Limited reservation counters will be operated (but not for normal booking)



4 Divyangjan and 11 patient concessions permitted in special trains



Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Ticket and Refund of Fare) Rules, 2015 applicable



Refund if passenger has Corona symptoms and is not allowed to travel still applicable



If symptoms observed in passenger during travel. they will not be allowed to continue travelling



Refund will be provided (for single passenger PNR; for single passenger in party ticket if other passengers want to continue travelling; for full party if the group wants to stop travelling)



TTE certificates will be issued for all of these cases



Online TDR to be filed within 10 days of date of journey



TTE certificate to be sent to IRCTC - amount will be credited in passenger's account



CRIS and IRCTC will make changes for the online submission of TDR (give option for cancellation due to Covid-19

symptoms)

Catering 

No catering charges in ticket

76 | P a g e



Prepaid meal booking, e-catering options disabled



Limited eatables and packaged water to be available on trains (to be paid for) if Pantry Car is attached



Catering and Vending Stalls in railway stations will be open (only takeaway, no sit-down eating) Linen and Blanket



Linen, blanket, curtains not provided



Zonal railways to maintain separate entry and exit gates at railway stations + social distancing + safety, security, hygiene protocols



Passengers must use Aarogya Setu app



Passengers and train drivers allowed to travel to and from the railway stations if they have confirmed eticket only

MIGRANTS- STRANDED PERSONS

09/06/2020

Supreme Court of India GO

WRT MAHARASHTRA: State has to take a more vigilant and concentrated effort in identifying the migrant workers, who are still stranded in State of Maharashtra and who are willing to return to their native places. Key Directions: 1. States/Union Territories shall take all necessary steps regarding identification of stranded migrant workers in their State which are willing to return to their native places and take steps for their return journey by train/bus which process may be completed within a period of 15 days from today. 2. In event of any additional demand, in addition to demand of 171 Shramik trains,railway shall provide Shramik trains within a period of 24 hours 3. Central Government may give details of all schemes which can be availed by migrant workers who have returned to their native places.

77 | P a g e

4. All States and Union Territories shall also give details of all schemes which are current in the State, benefit of which can be taken by the migrant labourers including different schemes for providing employment. 5. State shall establish counselling centres, help desk at block and district level to provide all information regarding schemes of the Government and to extend helping hand to migrant labourers to identify avenues of employment and benefits which can be availed by them under the different schemes. 6. The details of all migrant labourers, who have reached their native places, shall be maintained with details of their skill, nature of employment, earlier place of employment. The list of migrant labourers shall be maintained village wise, block wise and district wise to facilitate the administration to extend benefit of different schemes which may be applicable to such migrant workers. 7 The counselling centres, established, shall also provide necessary information by extending helping hand to those migrant workers who have returned to their native places and who want to return to their places of employment. 8. All concerned States/UTs to consider withdrawal of prosecution/complaints under Section 51 of Disaster Management Act and other related offences lodged against the migrant labourers who alleged to have violated measures of Lockdown by moving on roads during the period of Lockdown enforced under Disaster Management Act, 2005

Sl.No Order 48

Workers/ Employees:

Date

Announced By

Type

17/03/2020

Deputy Secretary,

Directive

All employees and ministries/ Departments directed to ensure implementation of preventive measures to

Government of India-

contain the spread of covid-19

Ministry of Personnel, 78 | P a g e

Public grievances and pensions 49

Workers/ Employees:

Department of

Memoran

The additional instalment of dearness allowance payable to central govt employees and dearness relief to

Expenditure, Ministry

dums

central govt pensioners due from January 1, 2020 will not be paid and the current rates will

of Finance,

continue to prevail. When the government decides to release future allowance and relief instalment due

Government of India

from

July

23/04/2020

2021,

the

rates

effective

from

January

2020, July 1,2020 and January 2,2021 will be restored and subsumed in the cumulative revised rate to be effective from July 1, 2021.No arrears for the period between January 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021 shall be paid. 50

Workers/ Employees:

18/03/2020

Under Secretary,

Office

All the Ministries/Departments advised to discourage entry of visitors in office complex of government

Government of India,

memoran

buildings. Routine issue of visitors/temporary passes suspended. All ministries/Departments requested to

MHA

dum

Ministry of FInance

Press

follow said instructions with immediate effect. 51

Workers/ Employees: i.

26/03/2020

GOI will pay the EPF contribution both of employer and employee (12% + 12%) and 24% contribution

release

per month for next 3 months for all establishments with upto 100 employees with 90% being those earning less than Rs. 15,000 per month. (80 lakh employees + 4 lakh firms) ii.

EPFO Scheme Regulation will be amended to allow workers to draw non-refundable advance of 75% of amount standing or 3 months of wages whichever is lower.

Workers/ Employees: Permission to make non-refundable withdrawal from PF account on grounds of COVID.

27/03/2020

Ministry of Labour and

Govt.

Employment

order 79 | P a g e

Workers/ Employees:

28/03/2020

Central Government has requested all the State Governments to set up relief camps for migrant

Ministry of Home

Press

Affairs

release

Ministry of Home

Govt.

Affairs

order

Insurance Regulatory

Directive

workers/pilgrims who are returning to their domicile states. States are advised to give publicity and awareness using public address system, NGOs for the information on:



The locations of the relief camps and facilities being made available.



Measures taken by the State Government.]



Relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.

Workers/ Employees:

29/03/2020

Payment of wages without deduction during lockdown period, excuse the rent for one month. 55

Workers/ Employees:

16/04/2020

The provision of health insurance by employers is mandatory as per the Ministry of Home Affairs

and Development

Consolidated Guidelines dated March 15, 2020. All general and health insurances companies are to offer

Authority of India

individual and group insurance in simple terms, with simple conditions and at affordable costs. Further, the insurance offered must not be limited to the duration of the pandemic, but must be for all time. 56

Workers/ Employees:

20/03/2020

Ministry of Personnel,

Memoran

Commuted Leave without production of medical certificate will be granted to those officials who are above

Public Grievances and

dums

50 years of age and have underlying conditions of Diabetes, Respiratory problems, Renal diseases and other

Pensions

life threatening illness for a period upto 4th April, 2020. 57

Workers/ Employees: Employers of Public / Private Establishments are adivised not to terminate employees or reduce wages,

20/03/2020

Ministry of Labour &

Advisory

Employment

especially of casual and contractual workers. Workers taking leave should be deemed to be on duty without 80 | P a g e

deduction in wages for the period. If place of employment is made non-operational due to COVID-19, the employee of such unit will be deemed to be on duty. 58

Workers/ Employees:

30/03/2020

Ministry of Health and

Govt.

Family Welfare

order

Ministry of Health and

Govt.

Family Welfare

order

Secretary, Ministry of

Govt.

Per Secretary, Minister of Health and Family welfare, Doctors and health professionals are the forefront of

Health and Family

order

the fight against COVID-19. To ensure their safety there are various measure being taken:

Welfare

“Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19” launched to provide insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh for 90 days to a total of around 22.12 lakh public healthcare providers who may have to be in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients. Given the unprecedented situation, private hospital staff/ retired/ volunteer/ local urban bodies/ contract/ daily wage/ ad-hoc/ outsourced staff requisitioned by States/ Hospitals etc. can also be drafted for COVID-19 related responsibilities and such cases will also be covered in the insurance scheme. Scheme will be effective from 30th March, 2020 for a period of 90 days. 59

Workers/ Employees:

03/04/2020

In continuation to D.O. Z.21020/16/2020-PH dated 30th March, 2020 regarding “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19”, all health care providers are requested to be informed regarding insurance cover through various mediums. Claim forms for claim under the scheme, procedure, etc. are attached. 60

Workers/ Employees:

20/04/2020

1) Medical Safety: Per the recommendation of ICMR to use hydroxy-chloroquine for all asymptomatic healthcare

workers

care

the

suspected

confirmed

COVID-19

Cases

2) Psycological Support: Dedicated toll-free 08046110007, for providing psycho-social support and professionals

are

encouraged

practice

stress

management

techniques. 81 | P a g e

3) Life Insurance Cover: Under the pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Package, the government has announced insurance cover of 50 Lakhs for 22.12 lakh health care workers who may be drafted into services of COVID19 that covers loss of life and accidental death on account of COVID-19 related duty.

Sl.No Order 61

Income Support (Including NREGA):

Date

Announced By

Source

24/03/2020

Ministry of Labour and

Press

Employment

release

Finance Minister

Press

Advisory to state governments to utilise cess funds for building and construction workers.To transfer funds to the accounts of construction labourers through DBT from the cess fund collected by the Labour Welfare Boards under the BOCW Cess Act 62

Income support (Including NREGA): i.

26/03/2020

For farmers already receiving ₹6000/- annually, first instalment of ₹2000/- will be frontloaded in

release

first week of April benefiting 8.69 cr farmers. ii.

Wage increase from ₹182/- to ₹202/- for NREGA farm workers to benefit 5 cr families. Estimated ₹2000 per worker extra – work to be allocated with social distancing norms.

iii.

₹31000 cr welfare fund for building & construction workers. Directions to state Governments to support the registered 5.3 cr workers to protect them from economic disruption.

Income support (Including NREGA):

26/03/2020

Ministry of Finance

Ex-gratia payment of ₹500/- per month, for three months, to be made to about 20 crore (200 million) women

Press release

who have Jan Dhan bank accounts. 65

Income Support (Including NREGA): i.

Wage rate revision by ₹20/- (routine revision)

27/03/2020

Ministry of Rural

Govt.

Development

order

82 | P a g e

ii.

Focus on individual works.

iii.

₹4431 crores for pending wage liabilites has been released to states.

iv.

Ex-gratia payment of ₹1500/- to women JDY account holders over three months.

Income Support (Including NREGA):

02/04/2020

Home Secretary to the

Letter to

Detailed guidelines on how to ensure smooth disbursement of money to the beneficiaries under the Prime

Government of India,

Minister Garib Kalyan Yojna, for strict compliance. An action report to be sent to the Ministry regarding the

MHA

same including necessary measures taken for smooth disbursement. 67

Income Support (Including NREGA):

15/04/2020

a) NREGA works allowed except in compliance with social distancing norms in containment zones

Ministry of Rural

Guideline

Development

NHRC

Advisory

b) irrigation and water conservation works to be prioritised 68

INCOME SUPPORT

28/09/2020

Essential Workers and their requirements ⁃ The safety of frontline workers, their payments, additional hazard pay should be looked after ⁃ Recognise anganwadi workers and helpers as essential workers, with all necessary protection, payment and other needs required for their functioning Building and Construction Workers chess fund and district mineral welfare fund (DMWF) ⁃ State labour welfare boards must use the building cess fund for health, nutrition and care for children of all construction workers including those who are not registered with the state labour welfare Board. A part of the fund should be allocated to running of crèches for children and women construction workers till they are able to join economic activities ⁃ District mineral welfare fund to supply with additional nutrition and child care services

83 | P a g e

Sl.No Order 69

Date

Announced By

Source

04/03/2020

Ministry of Home

Press

Affairs

release

National Disaster

Govt.

Attention drawn to Containment plan of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. In addition, action points

Management

order

to be taken up by States and UTs to control transmission of the virus listed are on the the themes of:

Authority

Health: .Home Ministry has approved the release of Rs. 11,092 crores under State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF)

all

states.

On 14/03/2020, the Central Government has made a special dispensation for utilization of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in order to make the additional funds for taking preventive measures. 70

Health:

05/03/2020

1) sensitisation training for first responders 2) awareness on travel hygiene and hygiene etiquette 3) tabletop discussions and exercises on containment involving all stakeholders, public health and medicalexperts, Private Sector' Health Service Providers 4) related to public gathering 5) on social distancing and hygiene awareness, in schools and otherwise 6) segregation mechanisms for international patients and medical tourism in hospitals 7) work from home 8) psychocosial helplines 9) measures to maintain continuity of business and essential services, avoid panic 10) DDMAs to hold meetings with civil society and NGOs. 71

Health: Advisory on Strategy of COVID19 testing in India which covers:

17/03/2020

Ministry of Health and

Advisory

Family Welfare 84 | P a g e

1) Objectives of COVID19 testing 2) A summary of the testing scenario current to the issuance of the advisory 3) ICMR expansion of testing to the private laboratories 4) stockpiling of tests 5) Summary of current testing strategy 6) Guidelines for private sector laboratories intending to initiate COVID19 testing: 72

Health:

18/03/2020

Guidelines issued by DG of CGHS on:

Ministry of Health and Guideline Family Welfare

Finance Minister

Press

1) utilisation of manpower during COVID-19 tracking and surveillance 2) medicines for chronic diseases during this time 3) CGHS beneficiaries appointment system during this time 4) Guidelines of maintenance of CGHS and wellness centres 73

Health:

26/03/2020

ASHA, paramedics, nurses, doctors, - 50 lakh per person as medical insurance cover.

ii.

Free cylinders for 3 months for women and householders under ujjwala scheme.

iii.

Utilization District Mineral Fund for supplementing and augmenting testing, screening activities to

release

fight COVID-19. 74

Health: Cases have been reported of people affected with COVID-19 as well as healthcare workers, sanitary workers

08/04/2020

Ministry of Health and Advisory Family Welfare

and police, who are in the frontline for management of the outbreak, facing discrimination on account of heightened fear and misinformation about infection. Even those who have recovered from COVID-19 face such discrimination. Further, certain communities and areas are being labeled purely based on false reports 85 | P a g e

floating in social media and elsewhere. There is an urgent need to counter such prejudices Citizens must understand: 

Although COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease which spreads fast and can infect any one of us, we can protect ourselves through social distancing, washing our hands regularly and following sneezing / coughing etiquettes.



Despite all precautions, if anybody catches the infection, it is not their fault.



It must be noted that the condition is curable and most people recover from it.



All those directly involved in the management of COVID-19 are equipped with appropriate protective equipment to keep them safe from the infection.

 75

Targeting essential services providers and their families will weaken our fight against COVID-19

Health:

08/04/2020

Supreme Court

1) Ensure that the appropriate Personal Protective equipment is made available to those covered by the

Court Order

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare guidelines dated 24.03.2020. Those covered by these guidlines include, inter alia, all healthcare worked treating COVID 19 patients in Metro, Tier 1 and Tier 2. 2) Police Authorities are directed to ensure police security to healthcare workers where there are COVID positive patients, suspected COVID patients, quarantined patients or when medical staff are sent to conduct testing. 3) Directs police authorities to act against those impeding the functioning of medical staff. 76

Health: The Supreme Court notes finds "prima facie substance in the submission of petitioner that at this time of

08/04/2020

Supreme Court

Court Order

national calamity permitting private Labs to charge Rs.4500 for screening and confirmation test of COVID19 may not be within means of a large part of population of this country and no person be deprived to 86 | P a g e

undergo the COVID-19 test due to non-payment of capped amount of Rs.4500." (1) Tests relating to Covid19 will be free of cost whether in Government or private labs. (2) Tests relating to COVID-19 must be carried out in NABL accredited Labs or any agencies approved by WHO or ICMR. 77

Health:

08/04/2020

Supreme Court

(1) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is directed to ensure availability of PPE to all Health

Court Order

Workersincluding Doctors, Nurses, Ward Boys, other medical andparamedical professionalsactively attending to, andtreating patients suffering from COVID-19 in India, inMetro cities, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. (2) The GoI and states/UTs are directed to provide the necessary Police security to doctors and medical staff who have been diagnosed COVID-19 or patients suspected of COVID-19 or those quarantined at home. (3) The state shall take necessary action against those who obstruct and commit any offence in respect to performance of duties by Doctors, medical staff and other government officials. (4) The Government shall explore all alternatives includingenabling and augmenting domestic production ofprotective clothing and gear to medical professional.This includes the exploring of alternative modes ofproduction of such clothing (masks, suits, caps, glovesetc.) and permitting movement of raw materials.Further, the Government may also restrict export of suchmaterials to augment inventory and domestic stock. 78

Health:

21/04/2020

ICMR, Ministry of

Guideline

ICMR, Ministry of health and Family welfare has passed guidelines for pregnant women who are

Health and Family

asymptomatic and symptomatic of the COVID -19. The guidelines of what shall followed at home if one is

Welfare

asymptomatic and guidelines to be followed at hospital if one is symptomatic. 79

Health:

21/04/2020

Home Secretary,

Notificati

Government of India,

87 | P a g e

Per the order of Home secretary, Home affairs under social sector clause bed side attendants and care givers

Ministry of Home

of senior citizens residing in their homes are allowed to continue their work.

Affairs

Health:

07/05/2020

Guidelines suspect

for or

quarantine

returnees

confirmed

cases

from private

abroad

facilities.

contacts There

/ are

isolation

instances

Ministry of Health and

Guideline

Family Welfare

Directorate General of

where people who don’t have requisite space at home may opt for such facilities. It has SOP for states & UTs

Health Services

and facility owner of Quarantine and isolation facilities (such as hotels, service apartments, lodges). 80

Health:

10/05/2020

The MHA has issued revised Guidelines for home isolation of very mild/presymptomatic Covid19 cases.

Ministry of Health and

Guideline

Family Welfare

Medical Council of

Notificati

India

Directorate General of

Govt.

Health Services

order

These guidelines are in addition to the guidelines on appropriate management of suspect/confirmed case of Covid19 issued by MoHFW on 7.04.2020. These guidelines are in supersession of the guidelines issued on 27.04.2020. The guidelines prescribes eligibility criteria for home isolation, directions on when to seek medical attention, and when to discontinue home isolation. Annexure I to the guidelines provides the undertaking on self-isolation which is mandated to be filled by patients home isolating. Annexure II provides instructions for the care giver and the patient. 81

Health: Modification

11/04/2020 in

Medicine

list

telemedicine

practice

guidelines:

The following medicines are added to list A of medicine lists after the existing entries: Phenobaritone, Clobazam and Clonazapam. 82

Health: It has been decided – in the light of COVID19 situation – that drugs having residual shelf life less than 60%

17/04/2020

may be permitted for import in accordance with the Rules after taking undertaking from the importers by 88 | P a g e

the Port Officers of CDSO that the drug will be utilised/consumed before expiry date and no point drug will be available for sale and distribution after its expiry. 83

Health:

11/05/2020

Home Secretary

Directive

11/05/2020

Indian Council for

Notificati

Medical Research

Ministry of Health and

Advisory

States and UTs are urged to ensure clinics and nursing homes are allowed to function without hindrance since these facilities are critical in supplementing regular medical infrastructure and relieving burden on hospitals. States and UTs must also ensure that their field officials allow smooth movement of medical personnel and ambulances. Such movement must also be facilitated inter-State if required. 84

Health: Mentor instutes have been indentified for various states which have been mandated to review requests for approving any new laboratory for COVID-19 testing. Names and email contact of oncerned individual provided in document.

Health: Advisory for managing Health care workers working in COVID and Non-COVID areas of the hospital:

15/05/2020

Family Welfare

to provide guidance on preventive measures, isolation and quarantine of health care functionaries Institutional Mechanism for preventing and responding to Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) among HCWs Hospitals shall activate its Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC). With reference to preventing such infection among healthcare workers, he/she will ensure that: 

Healthcare workers in different settings of hospitals shall use PPEs appropriate to their risk profile as detailed in the guidelines issued



All healthcare workers have undergone training on Infection Prevention and Control and they are aware of common signs and symptoms, need for self-health monitoring and need for prompt reporting of such symptoms 89 | P a g e



Provisions have been made for regular (thermal) screening of all hospital staff.



All healthcare workers managing COVID-19 cases are being provided with chemo-prophylaxis under medical supervision.



Provisions have been made for prompt reporting of breach of PPE by the hospital staff and follow up action

Health:

21/05/2020

Department of

Memoran

Due to grievances being received regarding the hoarding, black-marketing and differential higher prices of

Pharmaceuticals,

dums

N-95 masks in the country. Under the National disaster management Act,2005 all the states/UT

Ministry of Chemicals

governments to ensure surgical and protective Masks, Hand sanitizers and gloves do not exceed the MRP

& fertilizers

printed on the packs. Also the government is striving to ensure uninterrupted supply of N-95 for frontline health workers and govt. is procuring largest chunk from the manufacturer/importers/supplier at bulk rates and ex-factory prices. 87

Health: A guidance note on provisions for health services of vulnerable persons during and after the pandemic. The

24/05/2020

Ministry of Health and

Guideline

Family Welfare

vulnerable persons to whom this applies are the following: 

Pregnant Women



New Born Children



Mothers



Children



Adolescents



General Nutrition

90 | P a g e

The Guidance note demarcates which health services for the aforementioned individuals should be available in the containment zones, buffer zones and in green zones. The note also describes how to provide these services while limiting the risk of contracting Covid. 88

Health:

Ministry of Health and Letter

Steps taken by the Ministry to address psychosocial concerns:

06/07/2020

Family Welfare

1. Setting up of 24/7 helpline (080-46110007) in collaboration with NIMHANS to provide psychosocial support to children, adult, women and elderly 2. Creation of separate category in the same helpline for healthcare workers to offer psychosocial support to them in a focused manner 3. Onboarding of 20 States on the national psychosocial support helpline. Remaining States/UTs are encouraged to review this with Health Secretary and join the helpline 4. Issuance of guidelines / advisories on management of mental health issues, catering to different segments of the society 5. Advocacy through various media platforms in the form of creative and audio-visual materials on managing stress and anxiety, and promoting an environment of support and care for all 6. Issuance of detailed guidelines by NIMHANS- "Mental Health in the times of COVID-19 Pandemic Guidance for General Medical and Specialised Mental Health Care Settings 89

Health: The PM CARES Fund Trust has allocated Rs. 2000 crore for supply of 50000 ‘Made-in-India’ ventilators to

23/06/2020

PM Office

Press Release

government run COVID hospitals in all States/UTs. Further, a sum of Rs. 1000 crore has been allocated for the welfare of migrant labourers.

91 | P a g e

Health:

17/06/2020

Supreme Court

The SC directed the Central government to pass directions regarding quarantine of doctors who come in

Court Order

contact with COVID-19 patients and salaries of healthcare workers by 18.06.2020. Court observed that the non-adherence to these directions by Chief Secretaries of states will be deemed as an offence under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. 91

Health: Parity in prices for non-government procurements of N95 masks

Sl.No 92

Ministry of Chemicals 03/06/2020

and Fertilisers

Memoran dums

Order

Date

Announced By

Source

Other Reliefs:

23/03/2020

Ministry of Women

Govt.

Childline (1098) – the 24x7 phone emergency outreach service for supporting children in distress, shall

and Child

order

continue functioning as an emergency service. The service providers are working with limited staff. All

Development

states/UTs are requested to facilitate service and provide necessary support to Childline staff members, to enable their functioning in suitable manner and ensure effective service delivery to children in distress condition. 93

Other Reliefs:

24/03/2020

Deputy Secretary to

Govt.

State and UTs directed to implement lockdown while ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential goods and

the Government of

order

services and to set up State helpline numbers Nodal Control Room/ Office with Helplines, which shall be

India, MHA (Internal

connected with the Central Control Room.

Security Division)

92 | P a g e

Other reliefs:

24/03/2020

Home Secretary,

Govt.

Guidelines issued for maintaining consistency in application and implementation of various measures

Government of India,

order

across the country while ensuring supply of essential services and supplies including health infrastructure,

MHA

for a period of 21 days w.e.f. 25.03.2020. 95

Other relief:

26/03/2020

Ministry of Finance

Bank Accounts to be opened for this purpose. 96

Other Reliefs:

Press release

26/03/2020

contributions of State Relief Fund shall be in cash through donations from various

Ministry of Social

Govt.

Justice and

order

Empowerment 97

Other Reliefs:

26/03/2020

Home Secretary,

Guidelines laid down for ensuring the uninterrupted supply of essential goods including health

Government of India,

infrastructure and home delivery of food along with the Standard Operating Procedure imposing

MHA

Letter

restrictions on movement of people but not that of essential goods 98

Other reliefs: States have been advised to set up Relief Camp along the highways for people moving on highways

28/03/2020

Ministry of Home

Press

Affairs

release

including tented accommodation and these shelters are to be organised by taking necessary precautions like a. Social distancing b. Medical check-ups to identify and separate cases requiring quarantine or hospitalisation. Ministry of Home Affairs has authorized States to use State Disaster Response Fund for providing such relief measures.

93 | P a g e

Other reliefs:

29/03/2020

Arrangement of adequate temporary shelters for the poor and needy including migrant labourers. 100

Other reliefs: i.

01/04/2020

The anxiety and fear of the migrants should be understood by the police and other authorities and

Ministry of Home

Govt.

Affairs

order

Department of Health

Govt.

and Family Welfare

order

Department of Home

Directive

they should deal with the migrants in a humane manner. ii.

The state Governments/union Territories should endeavour to engage volunteers along with the police to supervise the welfare activities of the migrants and all concerned to appreciate the trepidation of the poor men, women and children and treat them with kindness.

101

Other Reliefs: 

Lockdown measures are to be more strictly adhered.



Applying section 188 of IPC and Section 51 to 60 of Disaster Management Act if any violation to be

02/04/2020

Affairs

circulated to public authorities and citizens so that they are aware of the penal provision. Supreme Court (WP/Civil/468 of 2020) on 31/03/2020 while stating that they were satisfied with the steps taken by the government in regard to the migrant workers issue emphasized on Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act and Section 188 of IPC. 

Section 54 provides for punishment to a person who makes or circulates a false alarm or warning as to disaster or its severity or magnitude, leading to panic. Such person shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine.



Disobedience to an order promulgated by a public servant would result in punishment under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

102

Other Reliefs:

07/04/2020

Ministry of Home

Govt.

Affairs

order 94 | P a g e

Under Disaster Management Act, Home Ministry has allowed manufacture, production, transport and other supply chain related activities in respect of essential goods like foodstuff, medicines and medical production. There are reports of loss of production, and price rise of essential goods cannot be ruled out (on account of hoarding, black marketeering etc. States and UT governments are advised to take urgent steps to ensure availability of essential goods including fixing stock prices, capping prices, enhanced production, inspections of accounts of dealers etc. Offences are criminal and punishable up to 7 years. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution is authorising Stes and UTs to notify orders under EC Act 1955 by relaxing requirement of prior concurrence with Central government. 103

Other Reliefs:

12/04/2020

Home Secretary

To ease the free movement of essential goods, and the operation of essential industries, certain directions

Guideline s

are provided that allow for the free transport of goods intra- state and inter-state, the transport of workers to and from workplaces, and for the ease of functioning of essential industries. These stipulations apply to all areas other than hotspots which are defined as as such by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare guidelines. 104

105

Other Reliefs:

Joint Secretary to the

Govt.

As a one time dispensation, the covid-19 pandemic has been notified as a ‘disaster’ for the purpose of

Government of India,

order

providing assistance under SDRF. List of Items and norms of assistance from the State Disaster Response

Ministry of Home

Fund (SDRF) for containing covid-19 annexed

Affairs

Other Reliefs: Measures to be taken to ensure the supply of water where the supply is deficient specfically in villages,

14/04/2020

Ministry of Health and

Advisory

Family Welfare

with an emphasis on vulnerable people, incluiding to relief camps, slums, hospitals etc. Furthermore, the availability of raw materials including chemicals used in chemical treatment plants which produce portable 95 | P a g e

water is to be ensured. To ensure the quality of the water, sufficient field testing kits to be given to people in these areas to be able to test the water supplied. Supply hours that public water stand posts can be increased and the grievance redressal mechanism is to be strengthened. 106

Other Reliefs:

15/04/2020

List of economic activities that will be allowed to operate in zones that are not hotspots or containment

Ministry of Home

Govt.

Affairs

order

Ministry of Finance

Notificati

zones. 107

Other Reliefs:

15/04/2020

Central Government amends order issued vide S.O. 1238 (E) dated 1st April 2020 of Government of India,

Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Services in public interest: police holders whose insurance policies fall due for renewal during the period on and from 25th March 2020 to 3rd May 2020 and are unable to make payment of their renewal on account of COVID-19 are allowed to make such payment on or before 15th May 2020. 108

109

Other Reliefs:

Home Secretary,

Guideline

In response to queries, it is clarified that specific services/activities below have already been exempted

Government of India,

Caregivers of senior citizens residing with them.

Ministry of Home

Prepaid mobile recharge utilities.

Affairs

Food processing units in urban areas

Other Reliefs: 1. COVID-19 has caused disruptions in supply chains, health care products and other essential

21/04/2020

19/04/2020

Competition

Advisory

Commission of India

commodities, to cope up with the situation businesses may need to co-ordinate activities by sharing data on stock levels, timings of operation, sharing of the distribution network and infrastructure, transport logistics, R & D, production, etc. to ensure continued supply and fair distribution. 96 | P a g e

2. The Competition Act has provided the safeguards to protect the business like Section 3(3) presumes certain concerted actions between the competitors to cause an appreciable effect on the competition, the presumption is not applicable to joint ventures where agreements increase the production, supply, distribution of goods and services. 3. Section 19(3) enables the Commission to have due regards to the accrual benefits of the consumers, improvement in production and distribution of goods and promotion of technical, economic and scientific developments. 4. The act has inbuilt safeguards to protect the business from sanctions provided such arrangements shall result in the increased efficiencies. however, only the conduct of business which is necessary to address the concerns of COVID-19 will be considered. 5. Businesses are cautioned not to take the advantages of COVID-19 and contravene the provisions of the act. 110

Other Reliefs: This advisory relates to ensuring safe drinking water during lockdown and effective management of

14/04/2020

Ministry of Health and Advisory Family Welfare

pandemic caused by the Corona Virus. 1. Frequent washing of hands with frothing, soaps are recognized as the most efficient and effective measure. Public Health Engineering Departments/ Boards/ Nigams of the State Governments need to accord top priority for taking measures to supply in areas where the water supply may be deficient to ensure safe potable water is available to all citizens particularly in rural areas, vulnerable sections of the society like people residing in relief camps, places of quarantine, hospitals, old age homes, poor strata of society, slums, etc.

97 | P a g e

2. Chemical treatment for enhancing the safety of potable water is required and chemicals like chlorine tablets, bleaching powder, Sodium hypochlorite solution, Alum may be used. The State Government may assess the requirement of these chemicals and availability, in case of deficiency then intervention for the procurement of such chemicals from elsewhere sources may be resorted to. 3. Test kits may be made available to the trained villagers to do periodic testing of water supplies and alert the concerned authority in case of contamination. 4. Round the clock vigil may be made to ensure that the water has been supplied to the delivery points. 5. Persons who are managing the operation and management of water supplies and the officials of PHED may be provided with safety measures like sanitizers, masks, etc and alternate arrangements may be made in case they get infected. 6. Grievance Redressal Mechanism may be strengthened so that any interruption in the water supply may immediately be reported 7. Strict adherence to the principles of social distancing as prescribed by the Government should be maintained. 111

Other Reliefs:

28/03/2020

Ministry of Housing

Govt.

All urban homeless available in DAY-NULM shelters shall be provided with three hygienically-prepared

and Urban Affairs,

order

meals a day during the nation-wide lockdown. Food is to be provided by Shelter Management Agencies

Government. of India

(SMA). Directions for maintaining cleanliness, provisions for sanitizers, handwash, masks, etc. may be provided. The fresh mobilised homeless/vulnerable person shall be referred to the hospital first for health check-up before providing them stay at shelter homes. 112

Other Reliefs:

20/04/2020

Home secretary

Govt. order

98 | P a g e

Per the Order of Home secretary, Government of Kerala is being asked to rectify the order passed to allowing opening of local workshops, barber shops, restaurants, book stores; MSME in municipal limits, and bus travel in cities/towns for shorter distance (upto 60kms) and adhere to the guidelines passed by the MHA 113

Other Reliefs: -

29/04/2020

Ministry of Women

Coping

Mentioning about the difficulties and uncertainties of times, MOWCD reflects upon the situation of

and Child

Strategy

children. Says that it is important for child to stay with parents incase a child is in isolation, child must

Development

be in regular contact with parents, through phone/online alternative. Some important steps has been suggested for parents and care takers. -

Make oneself available, answer question of the children, and share facts, figuring out child’s fear, be patient with children, following their lead, remain calm and reassure child for being safe, Avoid stereotyping a group of people, limit the family’s accessibility to news or other social media, talks with facts to the children, talk about fake news being spread too. Maintenance of regular routine, discussing role and contribution of the child to stay safe, let children socialize through phones, recognize the stress of children, and engage with children with respect to developmental and creative activities in these times. Some activities have been suggested on https://www.nimhanschildproject.in/. also suggest

take

break,

exercise,

rest

and

sleep

well.

Has listed out the signs of stress which can be seen in children and how to respond to it and also mentions about the steps which can be taken by parents and caregivers to support them, by taking breaks, taking care of body, eating healthy and connect with people through social media. 114

Other Reliefs:

16/05/2020

Ministry of Health and

Guideline

Family Welfare

99 | P a g e

Guidelines

'Preparedness

and

response

Covid-19

Urban

Settlements'

Directorate General of

This seeks to identify key vulnerabilities in urban settlements across the country. Urban settlements are

Health Services

identified as informal settlements within cities that may have mushroomed due to migration and have

(Emergency Medical

inadequate

Relief Division)

housing

and

poor

living

conditions.

The documents seeks to prepare these settlements for prevention and control of Covid-19 through institutional These

mechanism

mechanisms

and

responses

and include

Covid-19

surveillance,

hospital

containment

plan.

preparedness,

quarantine

facilities,implementation of containment plan, perimeter control, etc. 115

Other Reliefs:

16/05/2020

PMO Office

Directive

21/05/2020

Department of

Memoran

Due to grievances being received regarding the hoarding, black-marketing and differential higher prices of

Pharmaceuticals,

dums

N-95 masks in the country. Under the National disaster management Act,2005 all the states/UT

Ministry of Chemicals

governments to ensure surgical and protective Masks, Hand sanitizers and gloves do not exceed the MRP

& fertilizers

An ex-gratia of 2 lakhs each for the next kin of those who lost their lives due to unfortunate accident in Auraiya. UP govt. has been approved from the PM's National refund. Rs.50,000 each for injured has also been approved. 116

Other Reliefs:

Other Relief: (1) One Nation, One Ration Card Scheme to benefit the poor. (2) Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

30/06/2020

PM office

Press Release

to be extended till November, 2020. (3) Rs. 31, 000 cr deposited into jan dhan accounts of 20 crore poor 100 | P a g e

families in the past three months. (4) Rs. 18,000 cr deposited in bank accounts of over 9 crore farmers. (5) Appeal to all to wear masks, maintain social distance and wash hands frequently. 118

Other Relief:

03/07/2020

NHRC constituted a committee to assess the impact of COVID-19 on human rights especially the

National Human

Memoran

Rights Commission

dum

marginalized aqnd vulnerable sections of the society. The committe would suggest the government on the response to be taken on the basis of the government.

Sl.No 119

120

Order

Date

Announced By

Source

Child Nutrition:

30/03/2020

Ministry of Women

Govt.

Instructions for delivery of food/nutrition in light of closures of anganwadi centres. Supplementary

and Child

order

nutrition to be provided as a single instalment to avoid repeated contact.

Development

CHILD NUTRITION- Mid Day Meal and Anganwadis:

28/09/2020

NHRC

Advisory

Implementation of Aanganawadi Services ⁃ Recognise ICDS as an essential service and reopen aanganwadi centres to provide immunisation, cooked meals, nutrition counselling etc ⁃ Sufficient quantity of dry rations to be made available to children under 3 years of age ⁃ Establish a village based mechanism to maintain data of migrant families and children in the age group of 13-18 years returning from cities who would need to be enrolled in aanganwadis post lockdown ⁃ Wherever possible reopen day care facility under national crèche scheme with proper monitoring of safety guidelines as per MWCD

101 | P a g e

⁃ New inclusions in the beneficiary list may be made to include women and children of migrated families or families with the loss of livelihood Mid day meal scheme ⁃ Restart maintain meal schemes to provide sufficient quantity of dry rations or hot cooked meal including those children who have migrated to villages with their parents and are not a part of the school ⁃ Ensure mid-day meals to children who usually reside in social welfare hostels, tribal welfare hostels etc. but are now at home ⁃ State Department of education, State commission for protection of Child rights, state food commission, SMC‘s and village vigilance committee should proactively monitor the situation

Sl.No 121

122

Order

Date

Announced By

Source

Education:

24/03/2020

Home Secretary,

Govt.

education institutions and commercial and private establishments etc. to remain closed (subject certain

Government of India,

order

exemptions)

MHA

Education: 1. it is necessary to continue with the teaching-learning process in an educational institution by

17/04/2020

University Grants

Govt.

Commission (Ministry

order

maintaining social distancing, health, and safety of the concerned for which UGC has issued various

of Human Resource

guidelines.

Development)

2. some of the initiatives include ICT enabled online learning, safety and care of hostel residents, mental health and well being of the stakeholders, immunity-boosting measures, engagement of academic fraternity for implementing UGC mandates.

102 | P a g e

3. For the genuine concerns of the teachers, students, parents and institution, UGC has constituted an Expert Committee on the issues related to the examination and academic calendar. 4. UGC after due consultation with MHRD will issue appropriate guidelines so that colleges/universities may chalk out their plan of action. 123

Education:

17/04/2020

NCPCR, Government

Guideline

of India

Ministry of Home

Memoran

Affairs

dums

Home Secretary,

Govt.

After considering the requests from state governments and CBSE to conduct board exams and taking into

Government of India,

order

consideration the academic interest of large number of students , it has been decided to grant exemption

Ministry of Home

Per the guidelines of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights ( NCPCR) all training, educational, coaching institutions shall remain closed during the lockdown period. However, the institutions are expected to maintain the academic schedule through online teaching. The schools/institutions should ensure to follow all safety protocols while conducting virtual classroom sessions. Neglecting the safety and security of children in any manner shall attract strict action against the school/institution under section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and other relevant sections of the existing laws. 124

Education:

09/05/2020

In light of the new guidelines on lockdown measures issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs dated 1.05.2020, this Office Memorandum grants special permission for operation of 3000 CBSE affiliated schools, selected as Evaluation Centres for the limited purpose of work associated with evaluation of answer sheets. According to this OM, as far as transportation of answer sheets to the residences of evaluators is concerned, there is no such restriction on the movement except in areas falling in the containment zone. 125

Education:

20/05/2020

Affairs 103 | P a g e

from

the

lockdown

measures

conduct

Board

exams

for

class

and

XII.

The order details contains the in detail precautions that need to be taken while conducting the exams. 126

Education:

30/05/2020

Home Secretary

Letters

10/07/2020

National Institute of

Notificati

Open Schooling

The Letter draws attention to Phase II of Unlock 1, regarding re-opening of schools, colleges, etc. where states and UTs have been asked to have consultations at the institution level, with parents and other stakeholders. In this regard, the Home Secretary advises the states and UTs to send the feedback on any such consultation held, so that a timely decision can be taken for re-opening of education institutions. 127

Education: Secondary and senior secondary course public examination cancelled and another assessment scheme would be used for the purpose of assessment. 1) For those who have the past performance of four subjects, the average of the best three subjects shal be awarded for the theory performance. 2) For those who have the past performance of three subjects, the average of the best two subjects shal be awarded for the theory performance. 3) For those who have the past performance of one or two subjects, there performance shall be through the last three public examinations. 4) For those who were appearing for the first time, their assessment shall be through their ttutor marked assignment or practical marks of the last three public examination. 5) Candidates also have the option of appearing in the next public examination/ on demand examination whenever the situation improves.

Sl.No 128

Order

Date

Announced By

Source

Child protection:

04/03/2020

Supreme Court of

Court

India

Order

104 | P a g e

Supreme Court Suo Moto Writ Petition IN THE MATTER OF: In re contagion of COVID-19 virus in Children Protection Homes. Summary of the guidelines provided by the Supreme Court: 1. Children who need care and attention or children in conflict with law which is covered under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015 should be protected amidst this pandemic situation of COVID-19. 2. Urgent measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus to Child Care Institutions, Children in need of care and protection, Children in contact with the law. 3. State Government and nodal departments are requested to keep superintendent with all relevant advisories and circulars. 4. Juvenile Justice of every High Court shall ensure that these orders have complied with full spirit but at the same time the lockdown shall not be violated, however, District authorities will give necessary permission to transfer children to their family homes; Measures to be taken by the Child Welfare Committees (CWC): -

CWC to take all the preventive steps while conducting their inquiries/inspection.

Special online sittings or video sessions may be conducted to prevent children from residing in Children's Home, Open Shelter from the risk of harm arising out of COVID-19.

Families need to be counseled that institutionalization is the last resort at this moment.

CWCs need to monitor cases telephonically for those children who have been sent back to their homes through the District Child Protection Committee and Adoption Committee for children in foster care.

They also monitor cases telephonically, through what's app, to ensure the protection of all kinds of violence including sexual violence. 105 | P a g e

Measures to be taken by Juvenile Justice boards and Children Courts: -

JJB shall consider taking steps to release all the children on bail amidst the pandemic situation unless it violates Section 12 of the JJ Act, 2015.

For speedy disposal of cases video conferencing or online sittings should be held.

Counseling services should be ensured for children in Observation Homes. \

JJB would monitor any kind of violence including sexual violence or fear and anxiety produced by lockdown and fear of disease.

Measures to be taken by the Government It is directed that all the State Government shall: i)

circulate all the information and awareness regarding the COVID-19 to all CCIs.

ii)

begin preparing for an emergency that may arise and also train volunteers for the children in case of an emergency the court has also proposed to do a rotation of staffing so that there should be least in-person interaction.

iii)

as per rule 66 of Juvenile Justice Model Rules, any violation of rules and orders shall be taken seriously and disciplinary action shall be taken against that person.

iv)

ensure counseling is made available and monitoring systems to prevent any abuse and stress produced by the lockdown.

ensure adequate budget allocation to meet the cost that is likely to arise for the management in this pandemic situation.

vi)

adequate availability of face mask, soap, disinfectants, alcohol-based disinfectants. Also to ensure food, drinking water and other necessities such as clean clothes and menstrual hygiene products.

Directions to CCIs: 106 | P a g e

CCIs to take all the necessary steps to ensure safety arising out of the global pandemic situation.

The Health Ministry has set up new National Helpline on COVID19, which are 1075 and 1800112545. In addition to that Childline 1098 continues to be operational.

staff or any other person with the symptoms of COVID-19 should not be permitted to enter the premises of CCI.

CCI should promote Social Distancing.

CCI should enforce regular hand washing with clean water if in case the area doesn't have clean water then immediate steps should be taken to provide.Preventive

Measures for CCIs i)

know and make known on how COVID-19 spreads.

ii)

practice, promote and demonstrate positive hygiene behaviour

iii)

practice social distancing iv)cleaning and disinfecting rigorously.

Responsive Measures for CCI i)

Conduct regular screening

ii)

Health referral system to be followed like inform the nurse/doctor attached to the CCI.

iii)

Quarantine

iv)

planning in advance for an emergency which can include:updating emergency contact list separating sick children and staff from those who are well, without creating stigma Information about such procedures shall be shared with staff, parents, and children ahead of time;

Measures for children under Foster and Kinship care

107 | P a g e

families that are fostering children should have the information and measure to be taken in COVID-19.

ii)

follow up should be made for the health and psychological well being of the children.

Guidance on measures to ensure well being of children (CNCP and CiCWL) i)

It is important to acknowledge that for children, it is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during an ongoing pandemic like COVID-19 disease.

ii)

Reassure the children that they are safe. Let them know it is okay if they feel upset.

iii)

Encourage children to connect with each other and to talk with people they trust, about their concerns and how they are feeling.

iv)

Avoid watching, reading, listening or discussing too much news about the COVID19 and persuade children to divert their attention to other topics as well.

It is important to consider that violen e, including sexual and gender based violence may be exacerbated in contexts of anxiety and stress produced by lockdown and fear of the disease. Do not use corporal punishment violence to discipline children.

vi)

Work with the health staff/social workers/counselors to identify and support children and staff who exhibit signs of distress in the CCI.

vii)

Ensure that no staff or child is subject to any form of stigmatizing words or behavior arising due to coughing, sneezing.

129

Child protection:

28/03/2020

National Commission Advisory

District Child Protection Officer must ensure all staff of CCI are made aware of the circumstances – social

for Protection of Child

distance must always be maintained, donors must not be allowed to enter inside the CCI, CCIs must be

Rights

equipped with enough academic and recreation material for children. If required, therapeutic counselling 108 | P a g e

services and medical facility for children with HIV/AIDS should be made available in all CCIs.Advisory relates to vulnerable children with migrant families or those living on streets. Child Welfare Police Officer (CWPO) are to identify all such children in their jurisdiction and collect details from the child. If child is alone, they are to be placed in a Child Care Institution (CCI). In case child is with family, the family should be provided appropriate shelter as deemed appropriate by the competent authority. CWPO shall make arrangements for medical check-up of all children and in case any symptoms of Covid-19 or other conditions are identified, protocols by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare are to be followed. District authorities along with respective Child Welfare Committees are to ensure appropriate CCI facilities are arranged – nearby government/private schools, registered NGOs, community centers may be converted into such facilities. Adequate food, water, clothing, sanitation, hygiene and basic medical care have to be ensured in the facility. In case of a girl child, they should be sent to an appropriate shelter or facility meantexclusively for girls. In case girl child is alleged to have been trafficked, food, shelter, toiletries, clothing,counselling, etc be provided under MWCD’s Ujjwala scheme in the interim. Similarly, in case the child is with needs they should be placed in facility specifically meant for such children. In the case of children of families involved in seasonal labour, adequate arrangements of food, shelter, and medical facilities be provided. Same with children of migrant families walking back to their homes. Children in conflict with the law placed in observation homes and special homes maybe granted parole or interim bail. District Child Protection Officer must ensure all staff of CCI are made aware of the circumstances – social distance must always be maintained, donors must not be allowed to enter inside the CCI, CCIs must be equipped with enough academic and recreation material for children. If required, therapeutic counselling services and medical facility for children with HIV/AIDS should be made available in all CCIs.

109 | P a g e

130

Child protection: i)

ii)

28/03/2020

National Commission Advisory

Specifies role of police, SJPU (special juvenile police unit), DCPO (District child protection officer)

for Protection of Child

and CCIs (child care institutions - shelter homes etc)

Rights

Child Welfare Police Officers (CWPOs) to identify at-risk children, orphaned, abandoned, or without shelter; those alone to be moved to a CWC facility, those with families to be provided shelter; medical check-ups to be carried out.

iii) 131

Childline 1098 active 24x7.

Child Protection:

28/09/2020

NHRC

Advisory

State commission for protection of Child rights, child welfare committees under the JJ board, civil society 11/06/2020

National Child right

organisations must trace, track and register all children living in an extremely vulnerable situations to

protection

Health and micronutrient supplementation ⁃ Ensure routine immunisation and other essential Child health services are not disrupted in ICDS, schools and quarantine facilities ⁃ Ensure health and nutrient supplement to adolescent girls through regular supply of iron supplements are CH services and menstrual hygiene products ⁃ Children without parental care, living in institutions, affected by natural disaster, and children connected with street. 132

ensure that the nutrient health and protection needs are being fully met through the state institutions as identified above including ICDS school MDMS, state food commissions etc

110 | P a g e

ANNEXURE 2: FISCAL AND MONITORY RESPONSES ANNOUNCED BY STATE GOVERNMENTS 2.1 FOOD Sl. No.

GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Order

Issued by

Date

All BPL households will get ration along with a kg of dal thrice - on March 29th, April 15th & April 29th.

Chief Minister's Office

28/03/2020

Farmers and individuals involved in production of food grains /essential commodities will be allowed to take up their activities by maintaining social distancing norms 1. The April ration of rice and 1 kg of Red gram dal will be given free of cost to all rice card holders. Also, the April ration supplies shall be distributed in advance at the FP Shops from 29th March, 2020 2. All rice card holding families would also be given an one-time support of Rs.1000/- to meet the expenditure on other essential commodities such as groceries, vegetables and salt etc. at an estimated cost of Rs.1330 Crores. 3. steps will be taken to ensure that there is no disruption in the supply of essential commodities like vegetables, basic groceries, milk, egg, poultry, aqua and cattle feed etc.

Department of Agriculture Health, Medical & Family Welfare (B2) Department

24/03/2020

23/03/2020

Issued by Andhra Pradesh High Court

Date 16/05/2020

Type

MIGRANTS Sl. No. Orders 4

With regard to the ongoing migrant crisis, a Division Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court has stated that the scope of Article 21 which guarantees a right to life with dignity was an ever-expanding construct and would bring under its ambit the situation of the migrant workers. As regards medical facilities, the Court has directed that the check posts established on the Highways in the State have sufficient stock of food, good drinking water, oral dehydration salts and glucose packets, which should be supplied to the workers who are walking.

Type

111 | P a g e

Also taking note of the harsh summer in the State, the Court said that paramedical staff and ambulances must also be made available at these centres to tend to any person in need of medical attention or affected by sunstroke or such. The patrol vehicles deployed by the National Highway Authority of India and the Police Department must be used to transport the workers facing difficulty while walking to the nearest shelter. The Court has also passed directions for ensuring that the pamphlets are printed in Hindi and Telugu to inform the migrant workers of the nearest shelter homes and that personnel are deployed to ensure that safety measures like social distancing norms are followed. These directions to be temporary till the ongoing movement stops. 1. State government formulates clear guidelines for Inter-State movement of Migrant Workers, Agriculture Labour, Pilgrims, Tourists, Students and other persons stranded at different places. 2. The state government would bear the cost of travelling till destination by trains for migrants who are currently taking shelter in relief camps.

WORKERS Sl. No. Orders 6

All Government and Private establishments to pay full salaries for the period of lockdown to both permanent and contractual workers

INCOME Sl. No. Orders 7

Rs 1300 crores to be released towards scale of assistance to all BPL families in the State. Revenue (DM) Department – COVID-19 – Sanction and release of an amount of Rs.1300.00 Crore (Rupees One thousand three hundred crore only) to the Commissioner of Rural Development towards sanction of Scale of Assistance to the all BPL Families in the State of Andhra Pradesh, whose lives are affected due to LOCKDOWN activity in the State of Andhra Pradesh for containment of COVID-19 – Sanction – Revalidation of funds - Orders – Issued. Amounts will be distributed based on Rice Cards data available with Civil Supplies Department. ₹1330 Crores (given to all ration card holding families through a one-time support of ₹1000/)

Chief Secretary of State

06/05/2020

Issued by Health, Medical & Family Welfare (B2) Department

Date 23/03/2020

Type GO

Issued by Revenue (Disaster Management I) Department

Date 02/04/2020

Type GO

Health, Medical & Family Welfare (B2) Department

23/03/2020

112 | P a g e

HEALTH S No. Orders 9

Inclusion of Procedures Under Dr. YSR Arogyasri Scheme:  Govt has listed public and private hospitals which will treat 15 procedures (see attachment) for Covid19 patients free of cost  All hospitals to set up isolation rooms / wards / blocks  District Collector and Magistrate can take over these if necessary  Techincal Committee set up and has recommended ceiling rates for private hospitals  Per-day critical and non-critical care costs attached  All private hospitals categorised as A. Exclusive COVID Treatment Hospitals B. Hospitals that treat both COVID-19 and non-COVID cases C. Hospitals for Treatment of Ailments other than COVID-19  Emergency case patients will be treated even without rt-PCR test as a Covid-19 patient in hospitals under A and B  If such patients go to a C hospital, the hospital should transfer the patient to A or B  Patients to be then tested with rt-PCR kits and results uploaded on government portal  Tests conducted in NABL and ICMR approved labs to cost Rs. 2400  B hospitals with more than 70 beds to block a floor / ward for Covid cases  If these hospitals are not empanelled under the scheme, they may charge their rate  Commissioner of Family Welfare to set up the portal with hospital and bed details for better management  CEO of Dr. YSRAHCT to empanel all A hospitals  All asymptomatic, home quarantine patients can get tested anywhere and should not be turned away  All non-empanelled hospitals to display their rates clearly  Hospitals can claim bills through the scheme for cashless transaction  PPE provided by the government will not be compensated  Non-empanelled hospitals to maintain a case sheet and submit to the DMHO  Every death to be recorded and submitted to the DC / DMHO  No hospitals can conduct clinical trials without government permission

Issued by

Date

Chief Secretary, Governmentt of Andhra Pradesh

08/07/2020

Type GO

113 | P a g e

Order for fixing COVID testing rates and encouraging private labs to apply to ICMR for COVID testing: The government fixed a total sum of 2400 Rupees payable for the testing of samples forwarded by the government and a sum of 2900 Rupees payable by persons who directly approach such approved labs for their testing. These rates are not fixed and can be subject to change. All government and private hospitals directed that patients with Covid like symptoms be advised to go to State/District level COVID hospitals. When dedicated hospital not located in same town/district, such patients to be isolated and collection centre alerted immediately for collecting sample.

OTHER RELIEF Sl. No. Orders 12

Election to MPTCs/ZPTCs and Urban Local Bodies put on hold until further orders.

1. Agricultural operations can be done till 1 pm. 2. No restriction on movement of agriculture/horticulture implements, tractors, harvesters and reapers. 3. No restriction on movement of agricultural produce, fertilizers, seed and pesticides, aqua feed, seed as well as fodder to animals. 4. All fertilizer, seed, pesticide shops to be kept open till 1 pm.

2.2 FOOD Sl. No. 1.

Health, Medical & Family Welfare (B2) Department

12/06/2020

Health Medical and Family Welfare Department

04/04/2020

Issued by Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission Agriculture and Cooperation Department

Date 06/05/2020

Type GO

05/03/2020

GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA

Order

Issued by

Date

Type

Food grains for the month of April in ration shops to be provided without OTP. Instead, signatures of individuals to be taken.

Secretariat, Government of Karnataka

06/04/2020 GO

114 | P a g e

1. State government to specify what action is to be taken by the district administration to ensure that genuine demands received on hunger helpline are attended to. 2. State government to respond on the date of next hearing as to whether the Monitoring and Grievance System is functioning. 3. State government to look into recommendations made in report prepared by Centre for Child and Law, NLSIU.

MIGRANT Sl. No. Order 3

4 5

1. State government to ensure that the process of facilitating the transport of migrant workers is done smoothly. It shall also specify whether workers permitted to travel from one district to another are subjected to medical testing. 2. State government to ensure that migrant workers who wish to remain in the state are provided food in the form of cooked food or ration kits. Facilities to be made available for the transport of labourers working in Mangalore, Karnataka to their respective constituencies in Andhra Pradesh Issued directions to ameliorate the conditions of migrant workers. 1. Zonal Joint Commissioners (“ZJC”) with the help of marshals and KSTDC buses to identify migrants, homeless and other people who are on the roads without food. They are to be respectfully picked up and taken to nearest hostels declared as relief centres and provided with proper accommodation, health care and food. 2. Above action to continue till all the above category people are identified and lodged in shelter homes. 3. Action taken in this regard to be reported daily through to the Chief Marshal of BBMP. 4. State government to ensure that BBMP places all records submitted by the Chief Marshall of BBMP and reports of all ZJCs. 5. ZJCs to submit reports about steps taken to identify the homeless. 6. State government to come out with a stand on steps taken to prevent spread of disease amongst migrants/ construction labourers Guidelines for conducting compulsory health screening for people moving from district to district within Karnataka.

Karnataka High Court

05/05/2020 GO

Issued by

Date

Type

Karnataka High Court

05/05/202 0

Court Order

Revenue Department

29/03/202 0 24/04/202 0

02/05/202 0

Karnataka High Court

Commissionerate of Health and Family Services

Court Order

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Government of Karnataka to provide free transport facilities to stranded persons within Karnataka on KSRTC buses till 5 May 2020. "One-time, two-way pass" to be issued to stranded individuals instead of "one way, one time one day pass" for inter-district travel within Karnataka.

Karnataka Chief Minister

Letter to the General Manager, South Western Railways, cancelling 3 trains arranged for transport of migrant workers from Bengaluru to Dhanapur, Bihar for 06 May 2020.

Standard Operating Procedures for persons from other states entering into Karnataka on the following parameters: 1. E-Pass from Seva Sindhu 2. Entry and Medical check-up at State border 3. Screening at Receiving Centres in District 4. Quarantine Period 5. Testing Protocol 6. Actions for each category 7. Notice to returnee and neighbour 8. Bio-medical waste management 9. Enforcement of home quarantine 10. Return passes. Also includes guidelines for home quarantine. Karnataka High Court directs the State Government to place on record in what manner it intends to arrange for operation of special trains for the benefit of migrants.

02/05/202 0 05/05/202 0

Principal Secretary, Revenue Department and Nodal Officer, Migrants Department of Health and Family Welfare

05/05/202 0

SOP

High Court of Karnataka

08/05/202 0

Court Order

Karnataka High Court

14/05/202 0

Court Order

Secretariat, Government of Karnataka

If there are complaints received by the State that some contractors or employers are confining the migrant workers to their shelters and are not permitting them to go to their respective home States, the State Government will have to attend to such complaints and will have to ensure that the migrants are not harassed in this fashion.

Court further directs that the policy of the State Government should take care of all categories of migrant workers irrespective of the fact whether they are in their own shelters or in shelters provided by their employers or shelters provided by the State or whether they are on streets. Directions issued by the Karnataka High Court with regard to the travel of migrant workers: i. Directed the Central and State Governments to take a decision on the travel of migrants who wish to return but are unable to pay. ii. State government directed to convene a meeting of all Trade Unions, NGOs and Employers' Associations in the state to ascertain if any contribution can be made by them towards the travel of such workers. iii. State government directed to work out a schedule for travel and that it be communicated to all stranded persons.

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Rates for accommodation at hotels for the purpose of institutional quarantine fixed for inter-state passengers. Property Owners/Hoteliers to inform Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Bangalore Urban about the location of the property, number of rooms available and the category (Budget or Low Budget) in which they wish to register their property for the purpose of accommodating inter-state passengers. Referring to the order of the Ministry of Railways dated 2.05.2020 regarding Shramik special trains, the Court pointed out that the State which arranges the train is expected to pay the train fare. While noting the Karnataka State’s policy of collecting fares from the workers, it noted that considering the constitutional rights of the migrant workers, no one should be deprived of an opportunity to go back to his own State only for the reason that he has no capacity to pay for the transport.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)

12/05/202 0

Karnataka High Court

12/05/202 0

Court Order

The Court directed the State Government to immediately convene a meeting of all the Trade Unions, Employers' Associations and NGOs in the State with a view to ascertain whether any contribution can come from the Employers' Association, Trade Unions and NGOs which can be used for bearing the Train fares of the migrant workers who are not in a position to pay the train fare. The State is also told to work out a time schedule for facilitating transport of these migrant workers to their respective states and abroad time schedule be communicated to them. The Court also directed the State Government to inform the migrant labourers the states policy decision in order to allow them to return to their respective states by special trains. With special reference to migrants wishing to return from Bihar to Karnataka, the State informed the Court that ten trains will be arranged from May 16 to May 20, for the benefit of the migrant workers from Bihar to reach their State. To which the court suggested it to take help of all the Trade Unions and Non-Governmental Organisations, (NGOs') who are working in the field to ensure that the assurance of the State reaches the migrant workers who have already registered with the State Government. The Court directed that the State to assure that if a large number of migrant workers who wish to travel to a particular state are located in one city, the State government will be arranging for transport from that city as well. Lastly, the Court pointed out that many migrant workers who want to move back to their respective States have not been paid wages. The grievance about the non-payment of the wages must be looked into by the State Government and its agencies. 117 | P a g e

Travel expenses of all migrants and stranded workers for Shramik Trains to be borne by Karnataka State Government till 31st May 2020. BMTC and KSRTC buses to not collect bus fare from stranded persons on their way to Railway Stations to board Shramik Trains. Following additions made to the SOP for inter-state travellers coming to Karnataka: 1. Ministers of Union Government or State government to be exempted from quarantine requirements. 2. Any person who obtains a negative COVID test from ICMR approved lab, which is not more than 2 days older than the date of journey to be exempted from requirement of institutional quarantine. Such persons to be sent for 14 days of home quarantine. 3. Airline crew on official duty to be exempted from quarantine requirements. Private labs assigned to various category of inter-state passengers. Cost of each such test will be Rs. 650, to be borne by passengers, irrespective of result. Airports and railway stations to provide sufficient space for establishing swab collection kiosks free of cost. With regard to the ongoing migrant crisis, the High Court of Karnataka has noted that:  The state government has not placed on record in what manner the persons registered on Seva Sindhu website are chosen to travel by a particular train.  That the exercise undertaken by the state government of seeking confirmation from the migrant workers in a complicated manner appears to be an exercise undertaken to exclude large number of persons who have already registered themselves on Seva Sindhu website to go back to their respective States.  The State has not placed on record any systematic plan to facilitate transport of more than 6,00,000 people who are yet to return to their respective States.  The state government has assured that it will take action for violation of the provisions of Payment of Wages Act, 1936 and Minimum Wages Act, 1948 against employers/ contractors and will ensure that the worker is paid.

WORKERS Sl. No. Orders

Chief Minister, Karnataka

22/05/202 0

Department of Health and Family Welfare Services

23/05/202 0

SOP

Commissionerate, Health and Family Welfare Services Karnataka High Court

29/05/202 0

Governmen t Order

28/05/202 0

Court Order

Issued By

Date

Type

24/03/202 0 24/03/202 0

Advisory

No termination of employees or deduction of wages due to closure/lockdown of establishments

Department of Labour

Provision of paid leave of 28 days to employees infected with coronavirus

Department of Labour

Directive

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21 22

State Government to place on record action report on incidents of violence against doctors, nurses, health workers and ASHA workers. Petition to direct the state government to enact statute for the protection of gig workers and frame guidelines to pay salaries to such workers. Petition was rejected on the grounds that no specific statutory power was vested with the State Government to frame such rules or guidelines. Factories registered under Factories Act 1948 to be exempted from the provisions of Section 51 and 58, subject that no worker shall be required to work in a factory for more than 10 hours a day and not more than 60 hours a week. Additionally, provisions of Section 59 regarding Overtime Wages shall continue to apply.

INCOME Sl. No. Orders 24

Employment to be provided to rural workers/ migrants under MGNREGA: 1) Gram Panchayats to identify tasks appropriate for such workers. Activities undertaken by private individuals to be also included under this scheme 2) Not more than 5 persons to work in the same area, and they shall maintain physical distancing norms. 3) Workers to take the oath before initiating work every day to maintain physical distancing of up to three feet, and shall not work in groups of more than five 4) Gram Panchayat to provide job cards to those who do not have such cards after identifying them. 5) Applications by workers for work shall be approved and provided employment without delay. A group of five workers shall be provided jobs enumerated under point 8. 6) In order to prevent the spread of infection, thumb impressions to be avoided. Instead, a group picture of the workers to be taken, which will be authenticated by BFT and PDO. 7) Beneficiaries to be provided work near their residence, and will not travel to the workplace collectively. 8) The following works may be allotted to the beneficiaries under the following departments: a. Rural sanitation b. Irrigation and Agriculture Department c. Forests Department

Workers/Employees, Other Relief Karnataka High Court

21/04/202 0 12/05/202 0

Court Order Court Order

Secretariat, Karnataka Government

22/05/202 0

Notification

Issued by

Date

Government of Karnataka

26/03/2020 GO

Type

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d. Horticulture Department e. Sericulture f. Animal husbandry 9. Sufficient drinking water, sanitizers, soaps and child care facilities to be provided. 10. Any person displaying symptoms of cold, cough and fever to be immediately hospitalized. Rs. 5,000 for washer-men, auto-drivers, taxi-drivers and barbers across the state.

HEALTH Sl. No. Orders 26

29 30 31

ICMR has approved 16 labs (11 government and 5 private) in the State for testing samples of Covid-19 suspected cases. The cost per test has been fixed at Rs. 2250. The State Government will not be providing the testing kits and other accessories. Detailed guidelines for providing maternity services in Karnataka state under 5 parameters listed: ANC services, Delivery services, Postpartum care and Family Planning and Safe Abortion Services. Prohibits discrimination on any ground. No health center or hospital to decline emergency maternity services to any pregnant women, subject to conditions mentioned in the guidelines. All private medical colleges in Karnataka and ESIC Medical Colleges in Bengaluru and Kalaburagi to establish RT-PCR Labs for covid-19 testing within 30 days of this order. NIMHANS, Bengaluru designated as Mentor Institution for this purpose. Mental Health Help-Line services initiated by the State Government. In view of the rising cases of Covid, certain corporate/charitable hospitals are being designated as Dedicated Covid Health Centers (DCHC) and Covid Care Centers (CCCs). 100 beds in Kumara Krupa Guest House COVID-19 Centre to be reserved for senior government officials above the ranks of MPs, ministers, legislators, councilors and government secretaries. Persons who have been tested COVID positive shall be permitted to be in home isolation only under the following conditions: 1. Only those who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic shall be allowed to be in isolation. 2. They shall be oriented to the home isolation protocol.

Chief Minister

06/05/2020

Issued by

Date

Type

Health and Family Welfare Department

17/04/2020

Directive

Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services

27/04/2020

Guidelines

Medical Education Department

29/04/2020

Child Minister Karnataka Health & Family Welfare Department Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Services

10/05/2020

Twitter

24/06/2020

04/07/2020

Guidelines

Secretariat, Karnataka State Government

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3. Health team from district health authority/ BBMP/ authorized private institution/ agency shall visit the house and assess its suitability for isolation. They shall also do triage of the person. 4. Dedicated tele-monitoring link to be established for daily follow-up. 5. Person shall be given pulse-oximeter, digital thermometer and personal protective equipment during the course of home isolation 6. Person shall report to the health authorities about their health status everyday. 7. Release of the person from home isolation shall be as per the existing discharge protocol of the state 8. Home isolation shall be conducted with the knowledge of family members, neighbours, treating physician and local health authorities.

OTHER RELIEF Sl. No. Orders 33

34 35

36 37 38 39

DLSA and TLSC to coordinate for proper supply of food and food grains to needy. paralegal volunteeers to help in spreading awareness. Help in distribution of PPE and to supervise health care and saniatation. Court takes cognizance of large number of cases of domestic violence. State to point out helplines available for victims in addition to the action taken on the basis of such complaints, if any. Restrictions on movement and social distancing norms under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases (COVID19) Regulations 2020 imposed in revenue districts of Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Kalburgi, Chikkaballapura, Mysuru, Madikeri, Dharwad, Mangalore and Belagavi. List of essential services excluded from above restrictions announced. Deputy Commissioners authorized to relax regulations if undue hardship is caused to public. State government passes temporary regulations to contain spread of the infection. Lists the measures to be adopted. Additional measures imposed to prevent the spread of virus. Revised the original order dated 13 March 2020. Passes to be issued to individuals and vehicles in order to regulate movement. 1. Both the Central and the State government to make a categorical policy statement before the Court whether District Magistrates can grant permissions which are for social gatherings which are

Issued By

Date

Type

High Powered Committee

04/03/2020

Workers/Employees, Other Relief Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services

21/04/2020 22/03/2020

Court Order GO

Health and Family Welfare Department Health and Family Welfare Department Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City Karnataka High Court

13/03/2020

20/03/2020

25/03/2020 05/05/2020

Court Order

121 | P a g e

prohibited, irrespective of number of guests attending the function. 2. State government to clarify whether the order to not recover rent from workers is applicable to sex workers and transgenders. 1. Rs. 1,610 crore packages announced by the CM to rejuvenate economy post-lockdown. 2. Incentives and waivers regarding electricity bills for MSMEs, large scale industries and individual consumers announced. KSRTC resumed its operations from 19 May 2020 for intra-state travel with an initial fleet strength of 1500 buses with following arrangements: 1. No increase in bus fares 2. Buses will not be operated in containment zones 3. Passengers will be allowed to travel with face mask only, after undergoing thermal testing 4. Physical distancing norms to be followed. 5. Maximum 30 passengers will be allowed on the buses. 6. AC Buses will not be operated.

Chief Minister

06/05/2020

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)

19/05/2020

Press Release

Orders

Issued By

Date

Type

1. State government directed to decide if regular functioning of anganwadis can be commenced in green zones.

Karnataka High Court

05/05/2020

Court Order

CHILD NUTRITION- MID DAY MEAL AND ANGANWADIS: Sl. No. 42

EDUCATION Sl. No. Orders 43

Recommendations for Offices and Educational Institutions: 1. Lockdown should continue for all educational institutions and Tutorials until 31st May 2020. They should, however, be encouraged to take online classes for students. 2. Encourage more work-from-home for IT, BT and Commercial establishments. However, they can also operate at 50% strength.

Issued by

Date

Type

Expert Committee

08/04/2020

Report

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2.3 FOOD Sl. No.

GOVERNMENT OF MAHARASHTRA

Order

Issued by

Date

This PIL prayed for basic subsidence in the form of rations/ food supplies to be provided to tribal communities in the State. The Court has noted in the judgment that the State has undertaken to ensure that food and basic supplies will reach these communities.

High Court of Bombay

15/05/2020 Court Order

Order directed to commence processing of the applications for issue of ration cards to the eligible persons for obtaining benefit under the Antyodaya Scheme Additional free 5 kg/month for three months ration to AAY and PHH (priority households) under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna (Central government)

Bombay HC

30/04/2020 Court Order 31/03/2020 GO

The 'Shiv Bhojan thali' scheme which was initiated by Shiv Sena Government to provide a meal for Rs. 10 has been reduced to Rs. 5. Thalis increased from 36,000 to 1,00,000

Reduction of price of Shiv Bhojan Thali from ₹10/- to ₹5/-, wef 1st April. To be implemented by the DMs

One-month ration to be provided free of cost

MIGRANT Sl. No. Order 7

The Supreme Court directed the Maharashtra government to find out the problems faced as a result of the COVID-19 migrant crisis, after taking note of an application stating that a certain section of migrants are still waiting to be transported back to their home states.

Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department Maharashtra Food and Civil Supplies minister

Type

30/03/2020 Press release

Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department

29/03/2020 Press Release

Issued By

Date

Supreme Court

09/07/2020 Court Order

29/03/2020 GO

Type

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This order details the SOP for international air travellers arriving in Maharashtra. Some important elements of the guidelines: 1. Mandatory Quarantine for returnees for 14 days: 7 days institutional quarantine at the passenger's cost and 7 days home quarantine. 2. Those in institutional quarantine will be tested: a) If tested positive with mild symptoms, they will be allowed home isolation or sent to a Covid Care Centre. b) If tested positive with moderate or severe symptoms, they will be sent to a dedicated COVID Health Facility. c)If tested negative then will be sent for 7 days home quarantine. 3. In exceptional cases home quarantine for 14 days to be permitted. 4. All passengers to download the Aarogya Setu App. The Court directed the District Collectors, Council Authorities and the Police Commissioners in Maharashtra to form special teams to monitor highways and arrange transport till the state border for migrant workers and others attempting to walk home. The special teams will inform the District Collector, Police Commissioner or Superintendent of Police about the number of stranded migrants and then these authorities will request buses from the Maharashtra State Road Transportation Corporation. Due to lockdown, migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons are stranded at different places. They would be allowed to move as per the conditions in Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). - All District Collectors - designated Nodal Authority for receiving and sending such stranded persons between states/UTs and also within State of Maharashtra. - Nodal Authority shall register the stranded persons within their district and submit their detailed list to the District Collector of the district to which persons desire to travel. - For inter-state movement, the sending and receiving States/UTs shall consult each other and mutually agree to the movement by road. - No movement of people unless permitted. - Group of people has to obtain the letter from appropriate District Collector. - The persons’ desire to move shall be screened and only those who do not show influenza like symptoms or COVID-19 symptoms shall be allowed to proceed. - The vehicle being used for the transport of such persons will bear the transit pass issued by sending State/UTs/District Authority.

Department of Revenue and Forest, Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation

24/05/2020 GO

High Court of Bombay Nagpur Bench

12/05/2020 Court Order

Department of Revenue and Forest, Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation Department

30/04/2020 GO

124 | P a g e

Destination wise details of persons allowed to travel will be shared by respective State/UTs/District. Such vehicles which are being used for the transport of persons shall be necessarily sanitised before and after its use and social distancing norms shall be scrupulously followed. Any group of persons coming into Maharashtra will have to strictly follow the 14-day Quarantine period. On arrival of such group of persons at their respective destinations would be assessed by the local health authorities and kept in home quarantine.

No individual Medical Certificate required. Schools to be used as shelter homes for migrant workers

WORKERS Sl. No. Orders 11

The Court observed that in a case where contract labour is willing to work, but an employer is unable to assign work on account of Covid, the principle of "no-work no-wages" will not apply. The Court, in this case, directed the employer to pay the contract labour full wages, not including food allowance and conveyance allowance for those who are not reporting for duty, for the month of March, April and May, 2020. The Petition challenges the Ministry of Home Affairs Order dated 29/03/2020 which mandates the payment of wages to employees during the lockdown period. As the issue has been brought before, but is yet to be decided by the Supreme Court the following directions were given: 1. Gross Monthly wage is to be paid, however conveyance and food allowance payable on a month to month basis to those not required to report for duties is not required to be paid. 2. With the opening up of industries, employers may deduct wages of employees who are expected to report to work yet remain voluntarily absent. This has to be in accordance with the procedure established by law. This order is in connection with identical petitions challenging the MHA notification dated 29.03.3030 vide which it invoked Section 10(2)(1) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to ensure that the workers, including the migrants, would be paid their monthly wages by the employers taking into account the peculiar situation on account of Covid-19. The manufacturers have requested for an exemption from paying monthly wages for the period of restriction of manufacturing activities. The petitioners are, however, willing to pay 50% of the gross wages or the minimum rates of wages prescribed under the

Vice Secretary, Maharashtra Government

27/03/2020 Press Release

Issued By

Date

Type

High Court of Bombay Aurangabad Bench

12/05/2020 Court Order

Bombay High Court Aurangabad Bench

30/04/2020 Court Order

The High Court of Bombay

30/04/2020 Court Order

125 | P a g e

14 15

16 17

Minimum Wages Act, whichever is higher. The High Court held that since the Supreme Court is dealing with a similar cause of action, it would not interfere with the impugned order and would expect the petitioners to pay the gross monthly wages to the employees, except for the conveyance and food allowance, if being paid on month to month basis in the cases of those workers who are not required to report for duties. Further, since the State of Maharashtra has partially lifted the lock down in certain industrial areas, the workers would be expected, by the employers, to report for duties as per the shift schedules. In the event such workers voluntarily remain absent, the Management would be at liberty to deduct their wages for their absence. This would apply even to areas where there may not have been a lock down. The matter is further listed on 18/05/2020 or on the day the High Court of Bombay holds Court hearing thereafter. The payment of gross wages by the petitioners to the workers, save and except conveyance/food allowance, is held subject to the result of this petition. Maharashtra Government to provide an assistance of Rs 2,000 each to 12 lakh registered construction workers through direct benefit transfer scheme during Corona virus Lockdown. The order has been issued for helping the registered (active) building construction workers. The order seeks to provide the financial help to these workers against covid19. Due to covid19 pandemic; there has been no work assigned to these registered (active) building Construction workers and they are staying either at their respective homes or at the working site. Because of the covid19, their work has been stopped and they have not received their payments/daily wages. Maharashtra building and other Bandhkam Welfare Mandal has decided to deposit Rs.2000/- each to the registered (active) building Construction workers into their bank accounts directly, and the State Government has approved the same. Salary should be payed to workers- permanent or temporary - of factory, shops, etc

Bombay High Court takes stock of "unfathomable hardships" caused to labourers during the lockdown directs the State of Maharashtra to make arrangement for stay, food, sanitation clothing and health care of the labourers, working class including migrant labourers in need of these provisions. For the economic factors associated with such a decision, the court suggests that the state may seek support of registered charitable organisations. Subsidized food

No termination of employees or reduction of wages on account of closure of establishments

Industries, Energy and Labour Department Labour Commissioner

18/04/2020 Government Order 18/04/2020 Government Order

Industries, Energy and Labour Department Bombay High Court to Maharashtra State Government

31/03/2020 Government Order 30/03/2020 Court Order

Maharashtra Food and Civil Supplies minister Labour Commissioner

30/03/2020 Press release 20/03/2020

126 | P a g e

INCOME Sl. No. Orders 20 21

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are to be paid Rs 200 per day instead of Rs 1000 which is presently being paid. Maharashtra Government to provide an assistance of Rs 2,000 each to 12 lakh registered construction workers through direct benefit transfer scheme during Corona virus Lockdown.

HEALTH Sl. No. Orders 22

Special Benifits for the weaker section under Section 41AA(4)(c)of the Maharashtra Public Trust Act: In our prima-facie view a person who is suffering from the disease like covid-19 is not expected to produce a Tehsildar certificate or certificate from Social Welfare Officer before seeking admission in the hospital for seeking benefits under Section 41AA(4)(c) and (d). COVID-19 testing rates in private laboratories have been fixed ranging from Rs. 2200 to Rs. 2800. Persons who are going for the test on their own will be charged Rs. 2500.

The Maharashtra Government is requesting the State of Kerala to provide 50 speciality doctors and 100 nurses on a temporary basis to man the Covid Centre at the Mahalakshmi Race Course, Mumbai. The amount payable to these individuals is as follows: 1) MBBS Doctors- 80,000 Rs. per month 2) MD/MS Specialists- 2,00,000 Rs. per month 3) Trained Nursing Staff- 30,000 Rs per month. For these individuals, housing and food will be provided by the State of Maharashtra. The notification is in view the hardships of public in general during the COVID – 19 Pandemic due to exorbitant amount of money large number being charged by Healthcare Providers from patients who are not covered by any health insurance product or have exhausted their health insurance covers.

Issued by

Date

Type

Bombay High Court

01/05/2020

Court Order

Industries, Energy and Labour Department

18/04/2020

Issued by

Date

Type

27/06/2020

Court Order

Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, Government of Maharashtra Directorate of Medical Education and Research

17/06/2020

Official Tweet from Govt

23/05/2020

Notification

Public Health Department

21/05/2020

Maharashtra High Court

It directs the Healthcare Providers on classification of regulated and non-regulated beds (80:20), rate schedules for Covid (positive and suspected cases) and non-Covid patients, costing of items and services, and quality of treatment for the patient. It will remain in operation till 31st August 2020.

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It states that no Covid Patient will be charged more than the government prescribed rates, and all will receive same quality of treatment regardless of the classification.

As per the directive: •Charitable Trusts under Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950, will discharge all obligations before applying charges to any eligible patient •Healthcare providers under Maharashtra Nursing Home (Amendment) Act 2006 will attempt to accommodate maximum patients by increasing their bed capacities. •80% of the Isolation and Non-Isolation beds will be covered under the rates prescribed by government. It will be regulated by stated State/ District or Municipal officials. •Rack rates will only be applicable to remaining 20% of the non-regulated beds. •The excluded services i.e. NICU, PICU, day-care and haemodialysis can be accessed by all patients on applicable rates and first come first basis. •For Healthcare Providers associated with Third Party Administrators, prevailing lowest package rate will be applicable to all. •Unassociated Healthcare Providers will not charge more than the government prescribed rates as per location (district) and bed strength •The rates for services and Items which are not part of prescribed package rates won’t be higher than 10% mark-up on procurement cost. For items excluded in the directive, the additional charge cannot be of more than 5% on total bill. •The number of permitted beds, its division, status of availability, division, occupancy and details of applicable rates will be displayed by the Health Providers at a prominent place. •All details related to rates will be provides to patient/ relatives and competent authorities. •Denial of services by doctors, and nursing and other support staff will call for penal action. Free treatment for any covid 19 positive individual. Payment according to Ayushman Bharat norms.

OTHER RELIEF Sl. No. Orders 27

Price of RtPCR tests from private labs set as follows under the Epidemic Act, 1897: 1. If the sample is to be picked up from the collection site, the test will cost Rs.2200 (This includes the

Government Order

Issued by

Date

Public Health Department

13/06/2020 GO

Type

128 | P a g e

charge for transportation and the report.) 2. If the collection of sample is done from the patient’s residence or from a Health Care facility, then the test will cost Rs. 2800 (This includes the charge for transportation and the report.) The Government of Maharashtra in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, read with all other enabling provisions of The Disaster Management Act, 2005 has extended the lockdown from 17.05.2020 to 31.05.2020 in the entire state of Maharashtra. The State Government also directs that all earlier orders issued in this regard are to be aligned with this order and shall remain in force till (inclusive of) 31st May 2020. Further it directs all the departments of the Government of Maharashtra to strictly implement the guidelines issued, in this regard and that the calibrated phase wise relaxation/ lifting of lockdown orders will be notified in the due course. Sec 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code has been invoked to restrict a gathering of, or movement of one or more people at a public place between 8pm and 7am in Mumbai. However, movement is allowed for medical reasons. The order is to run from 04/05/2020 to 17/05/2020. On the background of the global spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, a country-wide lockdown was announced since 23rd March 2020, which in the present circumstances shall be continued till 3rd May 2020. All the markets, industries, factories and all such economic/commercial activities are shut down given the lockdown. This has impacted the income of majority of the common people and many have lost their means of livelihood. It is a fact that a large population of the people in the state lives in rented households and due to the above-mentioned economic misfortune, they are unable to pay the rent regularly, resulting in piling up of unpaid rent. Taking the above-mentioned situation into consideration, all the house owners in the state are directed to postpone the collection of house rents for at least three months and are also directed against taking any action resulting in eviction of the tenants for not paying the rent on time.

CHILD NUTRITION: MDM & ICDS Sl. No. Orders 31

Resume home delivery of cooked food for pregnant, lactating women and children between the age of 7 months to six years under the Bharat Ratna APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Yojna, ICDS Maharashtra in tribal areas. Supply of eggs and bananas to week children Cost of MDM to be deposited in the accounts of students (primary and upper primary)

Department of Revenue and Forest, Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation, Government of Maharashtra

17/05/2020 GO

Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai

03/05/2020 GO

Housing Department, Government of Maharashtra

17/04/2020 Advisory

Issued by

Date

Tribal Welfare Department

31/03/2020 Directive

Type

GO 129 | P a g e

EDUCATION Sl. No. Orders 33

After considering the UGC guidelines and consulting various stakeholders, the state government accepted the recommendations. Following are the highlights: 1. Promote students of diploma, undergraduate, post graduate ( excluding medical, agriculture and animal husbandry universities) to next year except final year students. 2. In view of COVID-19 pandemic situation in Maharashtra and considering the feasibility of conducting exams the terminal (final) examinations should not be conducted this year and consider the option of promoting the students without conducting exams of last year for UG/PG and grade them as per UGC guidelines.

2.4

Issued by

Date

Type

Minister Higher & technical Education

17/05/2020 Guidelines

GOVERNMENT OF TELANGANA

FOOD Sl.No 1

Order

Issued by

Food (Including PDS):

High Court for the State 27/04/202

The writ petition has highlighted the plight of transgender population during the Covid-19 lockdown. The of Telangana

Date

Type Court Order

court order directs the Advocate General to accept notice on behalf of the respondents and submit a report with regard to number of transgenders living in the major cities of the State, the concrete steps being taken by the State Government for ensuring that the members of the transgender community have ready availability of foodgrains, consumable items, and medicines as per their need and requirements, and the number of NGOS with which the Government is coordinating in order to ensure that all the essential 130 | P a g e

commodities do reach the transgender community through these NGO. The State Government is further directed to ensure that these commodities are given to the members of the transgender community free of cost and without insisting on the production of ration card/white card etc. The report shall be submitted by the learned Advocate General on or before May 08, 2020. 2

Food (Including PDS):

Chief Secretary/GAD

12 Kg of Rice per person amounting to 3.58 lack tonnes of rice at ₹1103 Cr.

22/03/202

Govt. order

MIGRANT SL.No 3

Order Migrants- Stranded Persons: (1) The Deputy Commissioners, Labour are directed to inspect the brick kilns functioning within their

Issued by

Date

Type

Telangana High Court

02/06/202

Court Order

jurisdiction and find out the number of workers who are still employed, who want to return to their native states,

etc.

The

commissioners

should

make

arrangements

regarding

this.

(2) the Principal Secretary, Labour department should consider the number of workers who are required to be transported out of the state and ensure that the workers are brought to Secunderabad, Hyderabad, or Rangareddy District, or to any other convenient nearest places and are comfortably housed in shelter homes with

food,

water,

etc.

(3) the State government should seriously consider the use of RTC buses to transport of migrant workers. Workers

willing

travel

through

buses

should

not

charged

any

fare.

(4) the State government should coordinate with the railway department and should request them to increase shrank trains, in case the trains cannot be increased they should attach bogies specially marked for the

migrant

workers

with

the

special

trains

and

fare

should

charged. 131 | P a g e

(5) the state is directed to ensure that the migrant workers are brought to the convenient places of Secunderabad, Hyderabad, or Rangareddy District. The state shall be free to consider whether the workers should be permitted to leave the state from the nearest train/ bus station where they are working. However, even in such places the workers are to be looked after by the state government and no travel fare shall be charged

either

the

railways

department

the

RTC.

(6) the state should also inform the neighbouring state, and should coordinate with the neighbouring states with regard to the movement of the migrant workers on the buses, and their arrival at the border check posts. (7) Government is directed to evolve a simpler form of registration process and data collection for their transportation

Sramik

trains/

special

trains

RTC

buses.

(8) The State Government is directed to evolve a comprehensive policy to deal with the migrant workers, both presently, as well as to deal with migrant workers even in future, considering the fact that a disaster can strike the state, or the nation unnannounced. 4

Migrants- Stranded Persons:

Telangana State Human 04/05/202

In the light of the difficulties faced by stranded persons, the SHRC advises the Telangana state government Right Commission

Govt. order

to give necessary instructions to all District Collectors to immediately indentify and classify all stranded persons and arrange Shramik Special Trains.

132 | P a g e

WORKER Sl.No Order

Issued by

Workers/Employees:

Labour, Employment, 23/03/202

Period of lockdown to be a paid holiday for all workers with wages

Training and Factories 0

Date

Type Notification

Department

INCOME SL.No 6

ORDER Income Support (Including MNREGA):

Issued by

Date

TYPE

Chief Secratary/GAD

22/03/2020 Govt. order

Issued By

Date

Telangana High Court

02/06/2020 Court Order

One time income support of ₹1500/- for rationcard holders - amounting to 1314 Cr. Full wage payments to permanent and contractual workers for lockdown period.

HEALTH Sl.No Order 7

Health:

Type

the state government is directed to ensure that in the shelter homes housing the pregnant women, lactating mothers, children, elderly persons, medical facilities are provided for their medical health issues on a daily basis.

133 | P a g e

Health:

Department of Health, 15/06/2020 Guidelines Medical & Family Guidelines for home isolation of COVID-19 Patients: The guidelines contain exhaustive instuctions for home Welfare, Government isolation of COVID-19 patients which entails the patients, caregivers/attendants, family members and of Telangana neighbours. Moreover, it provides a guide for using hydroxychloroquine and self-isolation for the safety of the patients and their family..

Health:

Chief Secretary/GAD

22/03/2020 Govt. order

All pregnant women who are expected to deliver during the months of march and april will be listed and monitored and assisted by medical staff to ensure institutional delivery. 10

Health:

Department of Health 21/03/2020 Govt. order

The Order is a guideline document to all private and government hospitals. It directs them to create separate and Family Welfare enclsores for COVID cases; Report Cases to the centralised Units etc. It has advisory related to travel history screening, Self Quarantine regulations, testing procedures etc. It does not announce any economic package

2.5 FOOD Sl.No 1

GOVERNMENT OF TAMILNADU

Order Food (Including PDS):

Issued By Agriculture

DO Letter seeking assessment of availability of essential commodities in State. Also requesting to determine if Rice Department

Date 03/04/202

Type Directive

Mills, Dal Mills, Oil Mills, Masala Making Units, Bread/Biscuit/Food Processing Units are functional and to determine where bottlenecks exist in delivery of essential goods to the State. 134 | P a g e

MIGRANT Sl.No Order 2 Migrants – Stranded Persons:

Issued by Madras High Court

Additional measures imposed to prevent the spread of virus. Court suo moto impleaded the Central Government and

the

Government

Tamil

Nadu,

and

sought

the

following

information

from

Date 15/05/202

Type Court

Order

them:

1. Whether any data is being maintained by the Government of India regarding the details of migrant workers working

each

State/Union

Territories

India?

2. If so, what is the number of migrant workers in each State/Union Territories in India and the details regarding their

nativity?

3. What is the number of migrant workers stranded in each State/Union Territories in India as on today? 4. What are all the assistance provided to those migrant workers by the respective States as well as the Union Government? 5. Whether those migrant workers are allowed to cross the State borders or prevented from crossing the borders and if they are prevented, whether they are provided with basic amenities such as food, shelter and medical assistance? 6.

How

many

which

migrant

workers

States/Union

died

Territories,

their the

way

deceased

the

native

workers

belong

States? to?

8. What are the relief measures/compensation provided to the families of those migrant workers who lost their lives

their

way

back

their

native

States?

9. How many migrant workers in each State/Union Territories have been evacuated from their working States to their

native

States

through

buses/trains

throughout

India? 135 | P a g e

10. What are all the steps taken to transport the remaining people to their native States? 11.

Whether

migration

people

one

the

reasons

for

spread

Covid-19?

12. Whether the Central Government has instructed the respective States/Union Territories to provide financial assistance, job opportunities in their native State/Union Territories for the labourers who migrated from other States? The bench has directed the both the governments to place before the Court an 'Action Taken Report' on these aspects. The case will be next considered on May 22. 3

Migrants – Stranded Persons:

Public

(Special

B) 05/05/202

Tamil Nadu e-pass portal has been operationalised. 'Return of Stranded People' has been added as a category. Department

Govt. order

Nodal Officer have been appointed to monitor the movement of stranded persons and the issue of e-pass. 4

Migrants – Stranded Persons:

Chief Secretary to 05/05/202

List of nodal officers for the state noted against each for the movement of Stranded persons to and from other Government

Govt. order

states/UTs

WORKERS Sl.No Order 5 Workers: Notice issued in plea seeking work from home facilities for staff with medical ailments, cancer survivors,

Issued by High Court of Judicature

Date 08/04/202

at Madras

Type Court Order

pregnant women, lactating mothers, women with infants, disabled and those on verge of retirement.

136 | P a g e

INCOME SL.No ORDER 6 Income Support (Including NREGA):

Issued by Date High Court of Judicature 08/04/202

Notice issued in plea to distribute cash benefits under various State and Central Government schemes to women at Madras

Type Court Order

account holders, farmers, old age and widow pwnsioners.

HEALTH S No Order 7 Health:

Issued by Tamil Nadu

Date Chief 10/07/202

In view of the fact that there is no drug of choice to treat COVID-19, after obtaining permission from ICMR and Minister

Type Press

Release

Health 27/06/202

Directive

CDSCO, Tamil Nadu has started Plasma therapy for its COVID-19 patients. So far 20 patients have been treated with plasma therapy and 18 have recovered. 8

Health:

Tamil

Nadu

TN CM directs all hospitals to use expensive, high quality medicines for treating COVID-19 patients. The minister has Minister

highlighted the Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme for low-income people and the capping of prices at private hospitals. An estimated 1769 Doctors and 14,814 Health Care workers are newly appointed to beef-up COVID-19 care 9

Health:

Department of Health 09/06/202

Govt.

In order to enhance the accessibility of ambulance services via 108, the Tamil Nadu government has established a

and Family Welfare

order

dedicated control room for this purpose, which will have 10 control lines functioning 24*7. Further, the government has also increased the number of telephone lines so that emergency calls can be attended to more efficiently.

137 | P a g e

In order to access 108 immediately people requiring ambulance services for Covid purposes can contact: 04440067108. 10

Health:

Health

and

Family 23/04/202

The Order is on implementation of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy- Aarokyam- in relevance to Covid-19. The Welfare Department

Govt. order

Government Order elaborates on the immune enhancement effects of Siddha and Ayurveda medicine especially on the Siddha based medicine 'Kabasura Kudineer', on its dosage and how to take instructions for prevention and management during the convalescence period. It also recommends yoga and naturopathy in addition to this as additional supportive treatments for Covid-19. 11

Health:

Revenue and Disaster 04/04/202

1. All categories of workers belonging to Health and Family Welfare, Revenue and Disaster Management, Police, Management

Govt. order

Sanitary and Conservancy employees if Rural/Urban local bodies involved in Covid-19 prevention must be provided with PPE. 2. In case such staff contract Covid-19, treatment expenditure and ex gratia of 2 lakhs to be provided.

OTHER RELIEF S.No Order 12 Other Relief: In lieu of Government offices functioning with half workforce and six-day work week AND SOP laid forth by

Issued by Revenue and Disaster

Date 10/06/202

Management Department

GOI on 4th June, 2020: - All government offices to be closed every second Saturday - Full-fledged disinfecting and sanitising activities will be carried out during the second Saturday and Sunday

138 | P a g e

Type Directive

Other Relief:

Greater Chennai

10/06/202

Press

24x7 Call centres in Chennai at the Zonal level to provide all information relating to COVID (quarantine, testing,

Corporation

Release

Department of Transport

23/04/202

Letter

fewer clinics, UPHC's, containment zones, preventive services, Ambulance services etc. related to COVID-19). 13

Other Relief: Letter quoting Health and Family welfare department GO (Ms) No 152 stating that in purview of the recent

corona epidemic, as per the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, all public transport are suspended from 24.03.2020 to 01.04.2020. In case emergency services are needed, minimal staff and buses to be kept ready on standby. Rest of the staff to be on paid holiday and kept ready to resume duty on rotational basis. In chennai for essential services of Public works dept and housing dept and in other districts in communication with the collectorate, buses with essential services sticker to be ready for plying between morning 8 to 10 AM and eve 5 to 7 PM. All sanitization protocols to be followed. Diesel to be kept in stock. A person for checking email communications to be always available 14

Other Relief:

Civil Supplies and

02/04/202

Official

1. Issue of passes to workers/labourers/whole sellers/traders.

Consumer Protection

Meeting

2. Issue of permits to good vehicles not required for essential supply of goods.

Department

Minutes

3. Timings specified for filling up of shop inventories. 4. Ensure supply of edible oil and masala products.

139 | P a g e

2.6

GOVERNMENT OF BIHAR

FOOD S.No. 1

Order

Issued by

Date

Type

Petition concerning the non-supply of food grains to six transgender persons on the grounds that they did not possess ration cards. The Bihar Govt. assured the high court that the grievance would be redressed immediately; since the Govt of Bihar has taken a decision according to which the possession of a ration card is not a condition precedent for availing the facility of receiving the food grains under various schemes and policies of the Govt. Of Bihar. The high court directed that the petitioners were free to invite the attention of the authorities towards any further difficulty which any transgender may be facing in the State of Bihar. It also added that no member of the transgender community shall be deprived of his Ration only on account of such status or not possessing the ration card. All the beneficiaries whose applications for ration cards which have been found valid shall be provided with a relief fund and their ration cards shall also be issued soon. The families without ration cards that have been listed by the jeevikadidis shall be provided with relief funds immediately.

High Court of Judicature at Patna

20/05/2020

Court Order

Government of Bihar

20/04/2020

Press Release

● The goal of wheat procurement shall be increased ● The quality of food shall be ensured that are being provided in Disaster relief centres

Government of Bihar

19/04/2020

Press Release

The requests for issuing and making amendments in ration cards shall be given attention immediately, so that the beneficiaries are able to get their entitlements under Nation Food Security Act.

Food and Consumer Protection Department

19/04/2020

Govt order

An inspection team shall be made for checking the quality of food grains being provided under the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana. Each beneficiary shall be provided with 5 kgs of food grains via ecoupons while maintaining social distance. Advisory to all dealers that they should not i. overcharge beneficiaries ii. hoard essential goods All eligible families for whom ration has to be provided under the Public Distribution System but has not been surveyed because of any reason, should get surveyed by 6th May.

Food and Consumer Protection Department

19/04/2020

Govt order

Food and Civil Supplies

21/03/2020

Govt order

Development and Housing Department, Govt. of Bihar

30/04/2020

Letter

140 | P a g e

PM Garib Kalyan Yojana allocation for April and May will be distributed in April to provide a top up of 5 kg for all ration card holders.

Department of Food and Civil Supplies

01/04/2020

Govt order

Issued by Principal Secretary, Bihar

Date 22/05/2020

Type Letters

General administration dept, Government of Bihar

22/03/2020

Govt order

MIGRANT S. No 9

Order Letter from Principal Secretary to Divisional Commissioners, etc Based on random sample testing, migrant labourers coming to state classified into: Category A: Surat, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram, Noida, Kolkata and Bangalore Category B: Other cities / states - Category A migrants to be quarantined at block level (set up in buildings in the block headquarters / panchayats near the block headquarters if no space) - Labourers will be quarantined for 14 days - If no symptoms, they can go home and kept in home quarantine for another 7 days - If symptoms found, Health Department guidelines to be followed - Social distancing to be followed in the block-level quarantine camps - Camps will have facilities available as per departmental letters 1387 / AP (19.04.2020), 1496 / AP (27.04,2020), 1733 / AP (09.05.2020) - Category B migrants will be sent home and kept in home quarantine (if they do not have infection symptoms) with self attested affidavit that they will stay in home quarantine - If Category A migrants and Category B migrants are staying in the camp together, both will be kept in quarantine for 14 days - All labourers will be registered at block-level - Bank account number, Aadhaar number will be collected - This will be used to transfer amount through PFMS as part of Migrant Labor Exit Assistance - Food and water will be arranged based on requirements - Health department will send house-to-house teams to monitor and test those under home quarantine

Temporary residences shall be made for people of Bihar who are coming from other states.

141 | P a g e

There are many stranded people/migrants from Bihar who are stranded in different parts of the country and there are people of other states in Bihar who want to go back to their hometowns. The names of various officers have been nominated to coordinate with the nodal officers of different states/UTs regarding the movement of the stranded people/migrants.

Disaster Management Department

30/04/2020

Govt order

12 13

Additional relief centres to be opened where needed with provision for food, healthcare and shelter ₹100 crore fund for relief, shelters and healthcare for stranded migrants. Helpline has also been set up

Chief Minister's Office Chief Minister's Office

30/03/2020 26/03/2020

Govt. order Govt. order

WORKERS S No. 14

Order Employment opportunities shall be provided by speeding up the work of drains and toilets

Issued by Government of Bihar

Date 19/04/2020

Type Press Release

Issued by Rural Development Department

Date 17/04/2020

Type Govt. order

Government of Bihar

15/04/2020

Press Release

Food and Consumer Protection Department

24/04/2020

Govt. order

Chief Minister's Office

03/04/2020

Press release

INCOME S No. 15

Order 1. guidelines for NREGA worksite management 2. PMAY and social plantations works to continue and new muster rolls to be issued 3. At least 5 works to be open in every GP 4. Register demand, no rejections except for explicitly stated reasons. ● The farmers will receive wheat through packs and will also be able to receive the fair value of their crops from their Panchayats. ● Measures to be taken for preventing erosion and protecting against floods ● Construction of rivers under MGNREGA, that are less than an acre shall be done quickly ● The marginalized families who do not have ration card shall be identified through Jeevikasamuh and arrangements for payment of Rs.1000 to them shall be made The non-ration cardholders will be provided Rs. 1000 after being identified by Jeevika, Rural Development. The names of the beneficiaries will be registered in e-PDS portal, for which they will have to provide their Aadhaar cards and bank details. Rs 1000 to be deposited in the accounts of all ration-card holders post Aadhaar-seeding

142 | P a g e

HEALTH S No. 19

Issued by Health Department

Date 14/04/2020

Type Govt. order

Health Department

24/03/2020

Govt. order

Health Department

22/03/2020

Govt. order

Health Department

12/03/2020

Govt. order

Health Department

12/03/2020

Govt. order

Order Household surveys regarding COVID-19 have to be done from May 1st. People with doubtful symptoms of Covid-19 will be sent to quarantine centres and will get tested. The O.P.D of hospitals is to be closed till March 31. The medical teams are supposed to visit patients at their homes when required. If needed, then the patients are to be taken by the medical teams to Patna Medical College and Hospital or Nalanda Medical College and Hospital for further examination or treatment. The security and safety of affected people shall be ensured by keeping their details confidential. Media interviews of affected people and their family members is not permitted. Medical officers shall ensure the situation of isolation ward, Universal Protection Kit, M-19 mask and infrared thermometer and also the screening of potential patients in all medical colleges. Medical officers shall ensure the special vigilance at seven neighbouring districts of Bihar and also the screening of travellers who are coming from Nepal, if any sign of COVID-19 is found then they are to be referred to medical colleges. The scope of door-to-door screening for COVID-19 shall be increased.

Government of Bihar

20/04/2020

The screening going on in Corona-affected areas shall speed up

Government of Bihar

19/04/2020

Screening Campaigns for COVID-19 shall start from 16th April. Door-to-door screenings shall be held around 3 kilometres of places where patients affected by coronavirus have been found.

Government of Bihar

14/04/2020

Press Release Press Release Press Release

21 22 23

OTHER RELIEF S No. 27

Order Amidst the Central Government order to open shops, Ministry of Home affairs of Bihar has detailed out on category of shops that can be opened and they are Electronics ( Coolers, Fans etc), Electronic goods like Mobiles, computers etc, Automobile shops like tyres etc., Construction material related shops, High security registration plates etc. The shops needs to ensure proper social distancing protocols

Issued by Ministry of Home Affairs Government of Bihar

Date 06/05/2020

Type Govt. order

143 | P a g e

29 30

Addition of some related services to necessary services, which are: 1. Food and grain production unit 2. Fruit and vegetable production unit 3. Medical and surgical production unit 4. All public transport 5. Service of government offices which outsourced through private companies Flood relief camps, utensils, clothes and milk will be provided in disaster relief centres. The cook in relief camps will be provided with funds. All the vice-chancellors of universities shall divide all the ‘C’ group and uncategorised staff in two groups and their duty shall be assigned on alternate days

Health Department

23/03/2020

Govt. order

Government of Bihar

20/04/2020

Education Department, Government of Bihar

20/04/2020

Press Release Govt. order

Issued by Education department, Government of Bihar

Date 13/04/2020

EDUCATION S No. 31

Order All government, non-government (private) schools, colleges, universities, training institutes and coaching centres of Bihar state shall be closed till 31st March 2020. But teaching and non-teaching staff shall be present at their institutes. All examinations shall be postponed. The schools which serve Mid-day meals shall transfer money in accounts of students or guardians before 31st march 2020. Celebration of Bihar Diwas on 22 -23-24 march is postponed from all district headquarters.

2.7

Type Govt. order

GOVERNMENT OF JHARKHAND

FOOD S. No. 1

Order 6.9 Lakh families with pending applications for ration cards will also be provided 10 kilos of rice at Re1/kilo of rice procured from local market. Identification of families left to the discretion of district and block officials. 30 Lakh given to each district

Issued by Date Food and Civil Supplies 23/03/2020

Type Govt. Order

144 | P a g e

Community kitchens (Dal bhaat kendras), with a serving capacity of at least 200 persons each, to be opened in all districts of Jharkhand until May 2020

Community kitchens (Dal bhaat) kendras to be opened at all thanas in the districts to serve migrants, homeless, and disabled persons until May 2020. A budget of about 3crores has been approved for the same. Dry ration comprising of 2kgs chuda (flatenned rice), 0.5kg jaggery, 0.5kg chana to be delivered to places where access to community kitchens is restricted. 5000 of these emergency relief packets shall be distributed in Ranchi and 2000 in the remaining 23 districts of the state. 6.9 Lakh families with pending applications for ration cards will also be provided 10 kilos of rice at Re1/kilo of rice procured from local market. Identification of families left to the discretion of district and block officials. 30 Lakh given to each district

Jharkhand Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Jharkhand Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Jharkhand Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Food and Civil Supplies

29/03/2020

Govt. Order

29/03/2020

Govt. Order

29/03/2020

Govt. Order

23/03/2020

Govt. Order

Order Community kitchens (Dal bhaat) kendras to be opened at all thanas in the districts to serve migrants, homeless, and disabled persons until May 2020. A budget of about 3crores has been approved for the same.

Issued by Jharkhand Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Date 29/03/2020

Type Govt. Order

Appointment of officials to ensure accommodation, sanitation, and other facilities for Jharkhandi migrants stuck in Delhi. This is devised with the objective that ideally the migrant workers should not be travelling in these times and must be provided adequate social security to sustain in the destination states. CMO and Labour Dept has released a list of numbers of Nodal Officer of each state of India, for stranded persons/migrants of Jharkhand to contact for help in safe journey back home.

Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD)

11/04/2020

Govt. Order

CMO

30/04/2020

Press Release

Students from Jharkhand stranded in Kota to be transported by Special Train. Screening of students by medical personnel to be arranged, and only asymptomatic persons to be allowed to board.

Secretary to Government-cumNodal Officer for Rajasthan

01/05/2020

Govt. Order

MIGRANT S. No. 6

145 | P a g e

INCOME S No. 10

Order INCOME SUPPORT (including NREGA): The department of Panchayat and Rural Development has sanctioned a net amount of Rs 101.51 crore for the development of 704 Gram Panchayat Bhawans under MGNREGA and RGSA, in the newly constituted Gram Panchayats.

Issued by

INCOME SUPPORT: Revised rate under MNREGA in Chhattisgarh-Unskilled labourers will receive Rs190 per day

MNREG Parishad

30/03/2020

INCOME: Keep adequate shelf of works ready to provide employment immediately on demand. Guidelines for precautions to be taken at the worksite to prevent the spread of COVID-19 detailed. Full wage payment for lockdown period for registered daily wage workers

Rural Development

23/3/2020

Order 4. All the returnees have to be under strict quarantine.

Issued by Health Education and Family Welfare Department

Date 22/03/2020

Type Govt. Order

Issued by Transportation Department

Date 19/05/2020

Type Press Release

Date 22/05/2020

Type Letters

Department of Panchayat and Rural Development

Labour Commissioner

22/03/2020

Govt. Order

HEALTH S No. 14

OTHER RELIEF S. No Order 15 Taxi services have been allowed to function outside of the Containment Zones, this includes cab aggregators. Guidelines to be followed by the drivers and passengers before and during the journey have been enumerated: including limits on the passengers allowed in vehicles (2 in a 5-seater car, 3 in a 6-7seater car) and the collection of data of the passengers by the vehicle operators for contact tracing.

146 | P a g e

Services that continue to be permitted (Only Outside Containment Zones): 1. Movement of all goods (Essential as well as Non-essential) 2. Shops selling essential goods (Medicines, Food etc) 3. Public utilities 4. Construction in rural areas and in-situ urban construction 5. Industrial activities in rural areas and areas with access control 6. Health Services 7. Financial Services (ATMs, Insurance companies etc) 8. Social Sector (Children and Observation Homes) 9. Private establishments a. Call centres for the government b. Print and Electronic Media PHIA FOUNDATION and JSLPS, Government of Jharkhand are working jointly in responding to COVID-19 pandemic and the organizations have joined voluntarily for it. Following arrangement have been made for the better coordination between the Government and Civil Society organizations: 1. Jharkhand State COVID-19 Gov-CSO shall be functional from 13/04/2020 and would operate from JSLPS Office. 2. Nodal Officers appointed are requested to introduce Civil Society Organizations empanelled in the state for the smooth functioning. 3. there has been the constitution of the Advisory Board, to provide advisory support for policy framework, execution of the action plan. 4. State Secretariat for Jharkhand State COVID-19 Gov-CSO Collab Response facility shall have the members as mentioned and perform the following functioned: a. providing the space for regular meetings and maintaining the files and records. b. submit the proposal for approval to the State Advisory Body. c. it will play the executioner role for the action plan. d. to identify mother agencies and coordinate with them. e. to develop the community-based mechanism to cater the needs of the people affected due to COVID19 through DAY-NRLM in Jharkhand. f. JSLPS shall appoint 2 young professionals for the managing of Government-CSO Collab

State Government

18/05/2020

Govt. Order

Labour, Employment and Training Department

12/04/2020

Govt. Order

Advance distribution of ration for April and May

Food and Civil Supplies

23/03/2020

Govt. Order

Biometric authentication for ration distribution suspended. OTP and mobile numbers to be used instead

Food and Civil Supplies

18/03/2020

Govt. Order

147 | P a g e

2.8

GOVERNMENT OF DELHI

FOOD S.No 1

Order Ensuring Food Security during Covid 19 Lockdown: 1. Delhi government should ensure food grains to all those in need irrespective of whether they have ration cards or not. 2. Help-desks should be set up for assissting people in applying for e-coupons and all the people with pending applications must be provided ration immediately. 3. SDMs to carry out surprise check of ration shops 4. Transparency and grievance redressal 5. Ensure adequate number of aata chakkies, where non-PDS beneficiaries can go to receive grains free of cost 1) Delhi Govt must set up help desk at all the 580 ration distribution centre to do on spot registration and make the ration distribution. 2) Mp and MLA who have ration e- coupon must broadcast their place and time of availability so that coupons could be given to all. 3) The strength at call centre should be increased from 6 people to more so that calls could be answered. And bring details of call and complaints in public domain. 4) Food inspector to visit the ration shops regularly for check if it's opening or not. 5) Food Commissioner has been requested to file fresh complain regarding the directions given above 1. Update on petition hearing, filed by Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan. The Court, during previous hearings in this matter dated 27/04/2020 and 06/05/2020, provided directions to the Goverment of NCT regarding the distributions of foodgrain. Disappointed by the Government of NCT in failing to comply with these directions, the Court has directed the Commisioner, Food Supply and Consumer Affairs, Government of NCT, to file an affidavit detailing the Government's compliance with the aforesaid orders. Update on petition hearing, filed by Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan. The last hearing was dated 27th April, with certain instruction of ensuring opening up of PDS shops, asking government to ensure that grain reaches everyone irrespective of ration cards and also to set up grievance helpline on website for public. While hearing took place on 6th May, 2020, looking at the shortcoming of online filling up of form the Abhiyan suggested that Delhi government to set up facilitation desk at ration shops and the schools to give coupons to

Issued by Delhi High Court

Date 11/06/2020

Type Court Order

Court Order Delhi High Court

28/05/2020

Delhi High Court

18/05/2020

Court Order

of 06/05/2020

Court Order

High Court Delhi

148 | P a g e

people who don’t have ration card and are unable to apply. The high court said that food grain should be provided to all, irrespective of ration card, the e-coupon system caused unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles at time when people are in dire need of food. Taking cognizance of complains done regarding quantity of grain, and constant inaccessibility of complaint number was highlighted. Court has advised government to install complaint boxes at the ration shops and designated school and also ensure functioning of complaint number. Reiterating the pervious orders to court has given time of 4 days to Delhi Government to give detailed compliance report of each direction. Emergency provision for the poor, distressed and destitute who dont have an adhaar card. Under the scheme, Food and each coupon will fetch a beneficiary 4 kg of rice, 1 kg of wheat and additional kits containing 1 kg refined oil, 1 supplies kg chhole chana, 1 kg sugar, 1 kg salt, 200 gm haldi powder, 200 gm dhania powder, 200gm chilli powder and two soap bars (65-70gms). The scheme is strictly for the poor with no documents and is in addition to the rations being provided to the PDS card holders and the non-PDS cardholders with Aadhaar card 5kg additional foodgrains shall be provided per person per month for the next 3 months (April-June) under the PMGKY over and above the NFSA entitlements to all beneficiaries covered under TPDS. This 5kg includes 4kg wheat and 1kg rice, and shall be available at all fair price shops. The order notes instructions regarding doorstep distribution of Specified Food Articles (SFAs) to PDS beneficiaries in containment zones of Delhi. The food supply officer/food supply inspector is entrusted the task of identifying FPS and beneficiaries within 3 days of any area being declared as a containment zone. The concerned FSOs are to take help of civil defense volunteers to arrange distribution of entitled SFAs to ration card holders, and complete the distribution within 7 days of the containment zone declaration. Neccessary precautions and dafety measures are to be followed during the distribution. The allocation of 1kg pulses per household under PMGKY is made free on household count basis for AAY, PRS(Old BPL) and Priority category identified under NFSA. The order also specifies the number of beneficiaries under each of the abovementioned categories, and notes that this allocation must be made available at all FPS in Delhi. 1. According to the Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of Delhi, institutions having children in conflict with the law to provide interim relief to the children during the present lockdown at the time of their release on bail/parole/ discharge unless denied. 2. Cash of Rs 1500/- to be paid by the JJ Fund and dry ration including rice- 5 kg, dal- 2kg, sugar-1kg.

civil 27/04/2020

Govt.of NCT of Delhi

Delhi Food 21/04/2020 Supplies and Consumer Affairs Delhi Food 20/04/2020 Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department

Govt.of NCT of Delhi

Delhi Food 15/04/2020 Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department of 14/04/2020 Women and Child Development

Govt.of NCT of Delhi

Government of NCT of Delhi

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MIGRANT S.No 10

Order 1) No fare to be charged either by train or by bus from any migrant worker and fare sha be borne by state or centre. 2) Stranded workers to be provided with free food by concerned state or UT. 3) State shall take responsiblites of providing meal and water to all the workers either through bus or train or in camps on the way. 4)Simplification and speeding up of registration of workers for journey, also suggested to set up help desk for the same. 5)State shall look after the workers to board the train bus at earliest 6) the state/Ut shall provide migrant workers on foot with vehicle for journey hence forth or sent to relief camp with provision of food and water. 7)Reciving state shall provide worker with good health screening facility and other facilites free of cost..  DDMA has issued directions to ensure that no migrant is walking on road  in case found in such condition, they should be counseled, taken to nearby shelters and provided with food and water till they are facilitated to board train Cooperate with railways for more shramik trains CDMO will appoint Nodal officer to coordiante with district nodal officer and that nodal officer will create team of 4 people (Doctor, Nurse, Pharmicist and NO) to screen every person moving out and into delhi. No of teams will be formed as per requirement. Mild symptomatic will be directed to go for home quarantine and symptomatic will be sent for testing.

Issued by Delhi High Court

Date 28/05/2020

Delhi Disaster 15/05/2020 Management Authority Director General, 05/05/2020 Health Services

Type GO

WORKERS S.No 13

Order Issued by The matter pertains to providing relief to the workers and laborers along with all the mandated benefits including High Court those who were previously registered in the last two years but could not or have not renewed their membership. The benefits were being provided only to the registered workers. In pursuance to the same, the High Court has directed necessary information be provided and assistance be given to those who seek for renewal. Additionally, the court has taken into consideration the existing situation of COVID 19 to highlight the loss of employment and daily source of income and has ordered that workers whose registration may have lapsed, and are subsequently renewed, would be in the same position as those whose registrations were valid, and to whom the ex gratia

Date 20/05/2020

Type Court Order

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payments have been disbursed since March, 2020. Further, the State Legal Services Authority has been involved in the process to carry out the directions without any unnecessary delay.

Delhi government decides to provide another financial assistance of 5,000 to construction workers

Press Trust of 11/05/2020 India

Press Release

1. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority, in exercise of its powers under Section 22 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, has ordered the strict compliance of the Order No.122A dated 29.03.2020 which provided, inter alia, that landlords will not force students to vacate premises. Failing which they will be liable for action under the DMA.Cant force them to leave rented accomodation 2. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority, in exercise of its powers under Section 22 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, has ordered the strict compliance of the Order No.122A dated 29.03.2020 which provided that landlords will not (1) demand payment of rent from migrant tenants for one month; and (2) force labourers and students to vacate premises. Failing which they will be liable for action under the DMA. If, any staff attending to Covid- 19 patients die by contracting the disease during the discharge of their duties, their family will be compensated 1 CR Rs. This applies to both temporary and permanent employees in the Public and Private Sector. "Staff" includes Doctors, Nurses, Para- Medical Staff, Etc. The payment of compensation must be recommended by the Medical Superintendant/ HOD/ in charge of the Hospital/ Medical Institute, proccessed by the Health and Family Welfare Department. and then sent to the CM for approval. Workers, including contract/outsourced/temporary to be treated as "on duty" and paid in full

Delhi Disaster 22/04/2020 Management Authority

Government order

Health and 07/04/2020 Family Welfare Department

Government of NCT of Delhi

Health and 22/03/2020 Family Welfare Department

Government order

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INCOME S.NO 18

Order DHCBA to give ex gratia amount to young lawyer, lawyers who earn less than 6 lakh per annum and others who have undergone medical emergency with a maximum sum of rs 10,000.

Issued by Date Delhi High Court 06/04/2020 Bar Association

Cash support of ₹5000 to all daily wage labourers and construction workers.

Chief Minister's 24/03/2020 Office

Type Press Release

HEALTH S.No 20 21

22 23

Order The Delhi government will set up a 'COVID-19 War Room', which will monitor the city's fight against the coronavirus 24x7 and suggest measures to effectively deal with the prevailing situation. This order provides list of hospitals providing COVID treatment in NCT. Further, certain identified pvt hospitals shall earmark 10% of total bed capacity for free treatment to patients of EWS category(both COVID and non COVID).

Issued by Government Officials Medical Superindent Nursing Homes, DGHS, Government of NCT Delhi. 5 days of institutional quarantine of each ase under home quarantine is to be made mandatory and thereafter DDMA, Delhi will be sent for home isolation except case where symptoms require further hospitalization. Government The government of NCT has decided to requisition the rooms/ beds in various hotels of Delhi and link the hotels Sub-Divisional with the nearest hospitals to accommodate more number of covid-19 patients. Magistrate (Chanakyapuri, Delhi) Directorate General of Health Services (GNCTD) had directed all nursing homes/ private hospitals having bed strength of 50 beds or more to reserve/ earmark at least 20% of their total bed strength for covid19 patients. Directorate General of Health Services

Date 05/07/2020 30/06/2020

Type Press Release Order

19/06/2020

16/06/2020

09/06/2020

152 | P a g e

Identification of banquet halls/ motel/ marriage community hall pertaining to the district north west to create Sub-Divisional additional beds for the covid19 patients. Magistrate (Rohini, Delhi) 1.24x7 Help Desk at each hospital to ensure smooth, hassle-free admission in hospitals Department of 2. Delhi govt has passed an order to set up 24x7 helpdesks @ Delhi government hospitals to assist all patients Health and (covid & non covid). Names & phone numbers of officials posted in each hospital are given in this order Family Welfare Letter from the Delhi Disaster Management Authority to all the District Magistrates of Delhi requesting Delhi Disaster identification of the following: (a) indoor air conditioned locations, preferably large multipurpose/ banquet halls Management , indoor stadiums, etc for putting up extra beds for covid19 patients along with capacity of each such location. Authority (b) present locations of cremation/ burial grounds as well as additionally identified locations/ lands for cremation/ burial grounds which are reasonably away from the residential areas. In order to ensure the mental wellness of people, the District Administration of District South-West in Government of association with the ISKCON Dwarka is launching a helpline for spiritual counselling and mental healing of the NCT of Delhi, people to deal with the stressful situation created due to the spread of COVID-19 (Helpline No. 997166666) for which more than 1000 expert counsellors have been appointed for counselling in most languages of the world.

09/06/2020

07/06/2020

Govt.of NTC of Delhi

01/06/2020

Govt.of NCT of Delhi

19/05/2020

Govt.of NCT of Delhi

OTHER RELIEF S.No 29

Order The Delhi High Court has exempted advocates from wearing gowns, coats, Sherwanis, Achkans, Chapkans and Jackets. However, the High Court directed that advocates be dressed in a sober and dignified manner and to adhere to the rest of the Dress Code, as prescribed in Part VI, Chapter IV of the Bar Council of India Rules (Rules framed under Section 49(1) (gg) of the Advocates Act, 1961). Petition has sought direction from Court to the Government to take effective measures to provide financial aid, food, shelter, medicines etc., to sex workers, LGBT people in Delhi for their survival during the Covid-19 pandemic, for constitution of a Committee for their rehabilitation, and exemption of rent. Court has observed peition was filed without any ground work because beneficiaries have not been identified, appropriate parties not impleaded. Also petitioner has not disclosed earlier PILs filed by him as required by the Court rules. Court has observed that the persons for whose benefit this petition has been filed are entitled to schemes already announced by the Government and it is not the case that they are being discriminated against. Considering the fact that the petitioner is young, Court has allowed him to withdraw his petition without costs.

Issued by High Court Delhi

Date of 25/05/2020

Type Court Order

High Court Delhi

of 11/05/2020

Court Order

153 | P a g e

1. The DDMA noted that several activities that are allowed as per the DDMA order 3.05.3030 and revised guidelines dated 1.05.2020, are not being allowed by different government authorities as well as RWA, etc. on their own accord, which is contrary to the spirit of the guidelines and orders. 2.Therefore the DDMA clarifies the permissible and prohibited activities in the NCT of Delhi to all the District Magistrates and their counter part District Deputy Commissioners of Police in NCT of Delhi for facilitating the commencement of the permissible economic activities. The DDMA directed that all District Magistrates of Delhi and their counterpart District Deputy Commissioners of Police shall ensure that the field functionaries are adequately informed and sensitised about these instructions for the strict compliance of this order, in letter & spirit. Lastly, the DDMA directed that All District Magistrates of Delhi are further directed to issue similar instructions under the DDMA, 2005 in respect of their jurisdiction so that the same are implemented in letter and spirit by all field functionaries. In furtherance of the Delhi High Court order dated 22.04.2020 in connection with a dedicated helpline for senior citizens, the Government of NCT of Delhi has directed that the helpline with number 1077 of Revenue Department, Govt of NCT of Delhi shall also function as the helpline for senior citizens for covid19. The deputy commissioner, GNCTD shall be responsible for the functioning of the helpline on 24x7 basis; and the Pr Secretary (I&P), GNCTD is directed to give adequate publicity of the said helpline number. Further SIO, NIC shall create an online application portal for registering urgent requests/grievances, in this regard. Lastly, all district magistrates shall appoint a nodal officer at the district level for this purpose who shall ensure that all the grievances are attended to. All nursing personnel working in the COVID Section of GTB Hospital, are directed to give their grievances to the Nursing Superintendant, before posting it to social media. Failure to do so will mean action under CCS (CCA) Conduct Rules, 1965. Those doctors, paramedics, nurses and support staff working in Covid-19 facilities, including hospitals, health centers, quarantine centers and test centers will be provided hotel accomodation. Doctors will be given 4/5 star hotel rooms, Nurses and Paramedics will be given hotel rooms and Support Staff will be given dharamshala rooms. 52/DGHS/PH-IV/COVID-19/2020/prSecretaryhfw/4994-5053 All Departmental Canteen in Central Government Ministries/ Departments/ Office shall be closed with immediate effect and shall remain closed until further orders.

Delhi Disaster 08/05/2020 Management Authority

Govt.of NCT of Delhi

Delhi Disaster 30/04/2020 Management Authority

Govt.of NCT of Delhi

G.T.B Hospital

22/04/2020

Govt.of NCT of Delhi

Health and 20/04/2020 Family Welfare Department

Govt.of NCT of Delhi

Ministry of 20/04/2020 Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension Department of

Govt.of India

154 | P a g e

Personnel Training

EDUCATION S.No 36

Order Closure of all Schools till 31st October, 2020:  Schools will remain closed.  Online classes and teaching learning activities will continue  HoSs authorised to call teachers for smooth conduct of above  Inform students of Covid safe practices (mask, distancing, hand hygiene) before any online class  Parents, Relatives also to be informed  Banners, posters to be displayed in school premises

Issued by Date Directorate of Education, 04/10/2020 School Branch

Type GO

Issued by Date Department of 14/04/2020 Women and Child Development

Type Govt.of NCT of Delhi

CHILD PROTECTION S.No 37

Order 1) According to the Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of Delhi, institutions having children in conflict with the law to provide interim relief to the children during the present lockdown at the time of their release on bail/parole/ discharge unless denied. 2) Cash of Rs 1500/- to be paid by the JJ Fund and dry ration including rice- 5 kg, dal- 2kg, sugar-1kg.

DCPCR has directed the Labour Department to send a fresh list of placement agencies Delhi 07/06/2020 -DCPCR will check if any of them are engaging in illegal employment of children and trafficked persons Commission For Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR)

Media Report

155 | P a g e

2.9

GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL

FOOD Order S no 1

Issued by AAY, SPHH, PHH and RKSY-1 category of ration card holders to get free rations from 1st April to 30th September. Food and Supplies RKSY-2 to get rice at ₹13/kg and wheat at ₹9/kg. Department West Bengal has taken steps in distributing ration of 2 kgs rice and 2 kgs potato (maximum At Rs. 18) to each beneficiary of the Supplementary Nutrition Programme, irrespective of categories, up to 15 April, 2020. 1. Personnel associated with distribution of essential commodities under PDS,Sufal Bangla, hyper marts, super Chief Secretary, stores, e-commerce platforms, home delivery of food shall be allowed unrestricted movement on production of authorization letter 2. Unrestricted movement shall be allowed on production of identity cards issued by Government/ their employers(in case of private sector employees) for Essential Goods and Services, like, Courts and Correctional Services, Health Services, Banks and ATMs, Police and Military forces, etc. 3. The following need no movement passes 4. Individuals, not more than 2, going to nearby stores for essential food items, medicines, emergency health consultations, etc 5. Individuals engaged in delivery of newspapers. 1. The Chief Secretary, GoWB issued a letter to Municipal Commissioner, KMC, requesting to ensure food and The Chief Secretary, lodging arrangements and wage payments of the stranded migrant labourers. Government. of West Bengal

MIGRANT S no Order 4 5

Information of e-pass portal, whatsaap helpline number, phone sms given for movement of stranded person from within and outside the state. 1. The Chief Secretary, GoWB issued a letter to Municipal Commissioner, KMC, requesting to ensure food and lodging arrangements and wage payments of the stranded migrant labourers.

Issued by Government of West Bengal The Chief Secretary, Government. of West Bengal

Date 26/03/202 0

Type

26/03/202 0

Order

27/03/202 0

order

Date

Type

Order

order 27/03/2020 order

156 | P a g e

2. The Chief Secretary, GoWB issued a letter to Municipal Commissioner, KMC, requesting to ensure f wage payments of the stranded migrant labourers. 3. The Chief Secretary, GoWB issued a letter to Municipal Commissioner, KMC, requesting to ensure food and lodging arrangements and wage payments of the stranded migrant labourers. 1. Government of West Bengal has issued direction in compliance with the orders issued by Hon’ble Supreme Court. It is in view of the grievances of migrant labourers in the country. 2. As per the directives, concerned authorities are required to ensure the following in relief camps/ shelter homes:  Availability of adequate medical facilities along with food, water and sanitation facilities  Regular visit by local health officials for medical check – ups and health screenings  Visit by counsellors and Community Group Leaders when required  Regular contact by civil administration and police  Check circulation of fake news  The government has decided to introduce a new scheme, named, SNEHER PARAS, for financial assistance to the migrant workers who are residents of West Bengal and are stranded in different parts of the country. Rs 1000 will also be provided to these workers under this scheme.  The applicant needs to provide details of either or Khadyasathi Number or EPIC Number or Aadhaar Number to prove that the worker is a resident of West Bengal. The state government has also decided to launch the Mobile app for the same purpose. West Bengal govt tell railways to not send any Shramik Trains to the state due to Cyclone Amphan till May 26, says all district administration is involved in relief and rehabilitation work due to Cyclone and will not be able to receive any Shramik Trains for few days.

WORKERS S no Order 9

Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal

02/04/2020 Memoran dum

Department of Disaster Management and Civil Defence

20/04/2020 order

Chief Secretary, West Bengal

22/05/2020 order

Issued by 1) In re Letter of Sri Ashoke Kr. Dhandhania Vs. State of West Bengal & Ors.: The bar council of West Bengal The Calcutta High informed the High Court that it had The Calcutta High Court was informed on Thursday that it had decided to Court extend financial aid to those lawyers in need amid the COVID-19 lockdown. The High Court observed that opine that this decision may be implemented without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties in the writ petition and subject to further orders that may be passed. The next date of hearing was set on 30/04/2020

Date Type 23/04/2020 Court Order

157 | P a g e

INCOME S no Order 10

Issued by 1.The Chief Secretary, GoWB issued a letter to Municipal Commissioner, KMC, requesting to ensure food and lodging The Chief Secretary, arrangements and wage payments of the stranded migrant labourers. Government. of West 2.The Chief Secretary, GoWB issued a letter to Municipal Commissioner, KMC, requesting to ensure full wage Bengal payments of the stranded migrant labourers.

HEALTH S no Order 11

Issued by Government of West Bengal has framed West Bengal Epidemic Disease COVID Regulations 2020 for containment Health and Family and prevention of COVID-19. Under Section 7 and Section 13, Government of West Bengal notifies the following Welfare Department restrictions: 1) No public transport services including operation of taxis, auto-rickshaws – exception being transportation to and from hospitals, airports, railway stations, bus-stands/terminals and goods carriers carrying Food and Essential Commodities. 2) All commercial ventures and Industry to close operations. 3) All foreign returnees to remain under home quarantine for a period decided by local authorities. 4) People required to stay home, and come out only for basic services. Social Distancing to be followed. 5) List of exceptions: Law and Order, Courts, Correctional Services, Health, Police, Armed Forces, Para-military, Electricity, Water Conservancy, Fire, Civil Defence, Emergency, Telecom, Internet, IT, ITES, Postal, Banks, ATMs, Food ( List in Doc),e-commerce for Food, Petrol Pumps, LPG, Oil, Medical Shops, Opticians, Pharmaceutical, Print, Electronic, Social Media, Manufacturing units of Essential Commodities, and, Production and Manufacturing Units requiring continuous process on approval of DM 6) No congregation larger than 7 persons 7) DM to decide if Establishment/Service qualifies as Essential 8) Any person in Violation will be punishable under 188 All returnees are directed to be under strict home quarantine. The govt. of West Bengal has notified “complete Government of West safety restrictions”, stipulating the following restrictionsBengal 1) No public transport services except for transports to and from hospitals, airports, railway stations, bus stands/terminals and good carriers carrying food and essential commodities shall be allowed.

Date Type 27/03/2020 order

Date Type 22/03/2020 order

22/03/2020 order

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2) All shops, offices, commercial establishments, etc. shall be closed 3) People are only allowed to come outside incase of basic services, also while maintaining the guidelines of social distancing. 4) The establishments/services providing essential services, including those in private sectors shall be excluded from the above restrictions.

OTHER RELIEF S no Order 13

Issued by 1) Creation of Relief funds immediately for the emergency situations, like, providing funds for transportation, Finance Department, rehabilitation, infrastructure, etc. Budget Branch, 2) Contributions to State Relief Fund shall be in cash through donations from various institutions,individuals, state and central public companies or private companies. Dedicated Bank Accounts to be opened for this purpose. Lockdown has been extended until June 15, 2020, with some additional relaxations to be provided in this period. West Bengal Government

Date Type 23/03/2020 order

30/05/2020 order

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17) Nanda, Prasant K (2020): "India's unemployment rate climbs to 27.1%, 121.5mn out of work: CMIE", Livemint, 5th May. 18) “40 crore Indian workers may sink into poverty due to COVID-19: ILO”; https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/40-crore-indian-workersmay-sink-into-poverty-due-to-covid-19-ilo/75051095 19) Dahir, Abdi (2020): "'Instead of COVID-19, the Hunger Will Kill Us.' A Global Food Crisis Looms", The New York Times, 13 May. 20) “Coronavirus lockdown | Activists say over 300 deaths related to lockdown troubles”; https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/activists-say-over-300-deaths-related-tolockdown-troubles/article31491525.ece 21) Dreze, Jean (2020): "Excess stocks of the Food Corporation of India must be released to the poor", Indian Express, 9 April 22) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India (2019): "Drinking Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Housing Condition in India", NSS Report No. 584, NSS 76th Round, July -December 2018. 23) UNESCO (2020): "COVID-19 Impact on Education” 24) Kundu, Protiva (2020): "Indian education can't go online - only 8% of homes with young members have computer with net link", Scroll, 5 May. 25) Shemin, Joy (2020): "COVID-19 Crisis: No lockdown for domestic violence", Deccan Herald, 26 April. 26) Hati K.K., Majumder R. 2013. Health Infrastructure, Health Outcome and Economic Wellbeing: A District Level Study in India. 27) Khan MI Abraham A No ‘room’ for social distancing: a look at India's housing and sanitation conditions. Economic & Political Weekly. 2020 28) Government of India; Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. State-wise percentage of population below poverty line by social groups, 2004–05. 29) Buheji M., Cunha C., Beka G., Mavrić B. The extent of COVID-19 pandemic socio-economic impact on global poverty. A Global Integrative Multidisciplinary 30) “COVID-19 and the ambit of the Disaster Management Act “; The Week; By M.P. Ram Mohan, Jacob P. Alex April 26, 2020 17:11 IST 31) Measures are collected and collated from different sources such as, COVID-19 Government Order Tracker (https://covid-india.in/#) and https://www.prsindia.org/, government websites on circulars, guidelines, SOPs as well as from news paper reports.

32) A critique of the Indian government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic; Jayati Ghosh, 2020, Journal of Industrial and Business Economics 33) “Package of numbers, not relief”; T M Thomas Isaac, MAY 19 202 (web: https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/main-article/package-of-numbers-notrelief-839620.html) 34) Patnaik, Prabhat (2020): "The Mendacity of Modi Govt's 'Rescue Package'", Newsclick, 23 May.Web: https://www.newsclick.in/Modi-GOVT-Rescue-Package-for-COVID-Sufficient 35) Singh Rudresh; May 05, 2020; “MSMEs in essential operations are locked out; implementation paralysis hurting small businesses”, Web: https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/cafe-sme/msme-eodb-lack-ofcoordination-between-govt-and-on-ground-authorities-impacting-msmes/1948854/) 36) https://www.firstpost.com/health/coronavirus-outbreak-only-9-1-million-of-38-millionmasks-needed-to-fight-covid-19-in-india-available-says-invest-india-agency8202171.html 37) https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/story/covid-19-shortage-ofventilators-iit-team-pitches-bag-valve-mask-as-alternative-1661659-2020-03-31 38) “Five COVID-19 Policy Mistakes India Could Have Done Without” (web: https://thewire.in/health/five-covid-19-policy-mistakes-india-could-have-done-without) 39) NCAER, 2020; Quarterly Review of the Economy, 2020:1Q in Coronavirus times; (Web: https://www.ncaer.org/uploads/photo-gallery/ 1589650398NCAER%20QRE%20Presentation%20May%2015%202020.pdf)

files/

40) United Nations Comprehensive Response to COVID-19: Saving Lives, Protecting Societies, Recovering Better; September 2020 41) International Monetary Fund (2020) "Policy Response to Covid19"(web: https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19#B); 42) ILO -Country policy responses https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/regional-country/countryresponses/lang--en/index.htm)

(web:

43) The impact of COVID-19 on global extreme poverty; Homi Kharas; Wednesday, October 21, 2020 44) “Steps taken by countries in fighting COVID-19 pandemic” ; Emre Aytekin; 20.04.2020 (Web: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/health/steps-taken-by-countries-in-fighting-covid-19pandemic/1812009)

45) Jacinda Ardern flags four-day working week as way to rebuild New Zealand after Covid19, The Guardian, Wed 20 May 2020 03.23 BST (web: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/20/jacinda-ardern-flags-four-dayworking-week-as-way-to-rebuild-new-zealand-after-covid-19) 46) “Steps taken by countries in fighting COVID-19 pandemic” ; Emre Aytekin; 20.04.2020 (Web: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/health/steps-taken-by-countries-in-fighting-covid-19pandemic/1812009) 47) Budd, J., Miller, B.S., Manning, E.M. et al. Digital technologies in the public-health response to COVID-19. Nat Med 26, 1183–1192 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591020-1011-4 48) https://www.mercatus.org/publications/covid-19-policy-brief-series/pandemic-policydeveloping-countries-recommendations-india 49) “Nothing Really New: Stimulus Package for Health Sector So Far Has Been Unimpressive”; Pratyush Singh; 25/MAY/2020 50) Where is health in the stimulus package? A.K. Shiva Kumar; MAY 18, 2020 51) MNREGA during COVID-19 pandemic: More households got work in 2020, but fund crunch a major concern, finds study; Neerad Pandharipande; December 31, 2020 52) Jean Drèze ; MAY 25, 2020; “The need for a million worksites now”; (web: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-need-for-a-million-worksitesnow/article31665949.ece) 53) The Times of India; Ashwani Kumar; May 28, 2020; “Reviving and reforming MGNREGA” (web: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/reviving-and-reformingmgnrega/) 54) Modi’s ‘atmanirbhar’ plan does little to help those worst hit by lockdown; Dipa Sinha; May 19, 2020 55) Government of India is under taxing big corporates and billionaires; SEP 28, 2020 56) Shruti Rajagopalan; Alexander Tabarrok (2020); Pandemic Policy in Developing Countries: Recommendations for India. Web- https://www.mercatus.org/publications/covid-19policy-brief-series/pandemic-policy-developing-countries-recommendations-india 57) “Shielding the poor from the COVID-19 pandemic”; Ramji Krishnan & Vidya Ramji; August 19, 2020 58) Debamalya Nandy, Member, NREGA Sangharsh Morcha told Down To Earth (DTE); “Is Union Budget 2021-22 MGNREGA allocation enough to alleviate rural distress”

59) “Is Union Budget 2021-22 MGNREGA allocation enough to alleviate rural distress”; 01 February 2021; (webhttps://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/governance/is-unionbudget-2021-22-mgnrega-allocation-enough-to-alleviate-rural-distress-75292) 60) Coronavirus in India: In 13 states, NGOs fed more people than govt did during lockdown; Mukesh Rawat; New Delhi April 9, 2020 61) Survey on Migrant workers by SWAN (Stranded Workers Action Network) ; April 202; 1 “21 Days and Counting: Covid-19 Lockdown, Migrant Workers, And The Inadequacy of Welfare Measures in India”

About Rainbow Homes Program The Rainbow Homes Program aims to protect, care for, educate and empower our most disadvantaged children. These include children who live on city streets; orphaned, abandoned, and violence-affected children; working children; children of farmer – suicide and starvation families; and children of sex workers. We strive to ensure that these children access their rights in loving, open and safe residential care homes in government schools and buildings; and for them to grow into happy, responsible and caring citizens.

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Mapping and Analysis of India Government’s Response to COVID-19

Articles inside

Budget for NREGA not to be reduced

Section 9 REFERENCES

Shielding poor by taxing rich Provision of food security through universalization of PDS and designing of safety-net schemes

Increased social assistance to support vulnerable section of population

Policy Measures taken in Selected Countries- A brief

Section 6 POLICY MEASURES BY FEW OTHER COUNTRIES: A SHORT OVERVIEW

Inadequate stimulus package for MSME and Farmers Insufficient investment in health system, shortage of emergency supplies and delays in domestic production of testing kits

Miniscule relief package for the hardest hit sections of population

III) Important Advisories/Circulars at Central and State levels

II) Interventions by State Governments in the Study States

Immediate Impacts of Lock Down in India: Few statistics

Section 4 POLICY MEASURES BY INDIA GOVERNMENT AT DIFFERENT LEVELS

Section 3 MAJOR VULNERABILITIES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Challenges in front of the Government

Section 2 STUDY OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY

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