The 286th Law Commission Report recommended creation of an Epidemic Plan and Standard Operation Procedure to address future epidemics.
It was highlighting the limitations of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (EDA).
It states “the management, control and prevention of epidemic diseases cannot be restricted to a century-old law.”
There is no clear demarcation between the powers of the Centre, state, and local authorities during an epidemic, which leads to uncoordinated responses.
The creation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will “ensure proper and coordinated response to any epidemic with pre-defined powers and roles in case of a public health emergency”.