286th Law Commission Report

The 286th Law Commission Report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive Epidemic Plan and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to effectively address future epidemics. It critiques the limitations of the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 (EDA), highlighting its outdatedness and lack of clarity on power division between the central and state governments, leading to uncoordinated epidemic responses. The report’s key recommendations include formulating a detailed Epidemic Plan delineating the roles of central, state, and local authorities, and consulting stakeholders in its drafting. The plan should encompass aspects like quarantine, surveillance, transport of medical supplies, and public information dissemination. An SOP is proposed for a coordinated government response at different levels, with states empowered to act during initial outbreaks and the central government taking over as threats escalate. The report suggests amending the EDA to mandate the preparation, revision, and implementation of the Epidemic Plan. These recommendations aim to establish clear roles and powers for authorities, ensuring quick, coordinated, and rights-protecting responses in future public health crises, highlighting the importance of robust legal frameworks in an interconnected world.