The Perils of Follow the Leader Syndrome

Context: The handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by the state is both unsatisfactory and misguided. There is a need to stir up collective conscience of the constitutional principles.

Mishandling of the crisis: affected not only the economy but also the very livelihood of lakhs of Indians.

• Disaster Management not in place: The Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DMA) is a comprehensive document providing the following provisions:

• Defines ‘disaster’: as a catastrophe in a given area, arising from natural or man-made causes, resulting in substantial loss of life and is beyond the coping capacity of the community.
• National Authority: National Executive Committee is instrumental in preparing a national plan based on the recommendations of assisting the advisory committee.
• Financial Assistance: institutionalized through 

• National/State Disaster Response Fund: for a minimum standard of relief on account of the loss of life and restoration of livelihood.
• National Disaster Mitigation Fund: Exclusively for mitigation.

• National Disaster Management Plan: After the SC’s judgment in Swaraj Abhiyan Case in 2016, the government came out with the plan which dealt with various kinds of disasters.

• Futility of Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES):

• In violation of Section 46 of DMA, money was diverted from NDRF to PM CARES.
• Compromised accountability: It will not be audited by Comptroller and Auditor General.

• Arbitrary Implementation of NDRF: NDRF funds were used to handle the locust menace, but not he COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Unilateral decision making: Demonetization and national lockdown serves as an example to the failure of government in recent times.
• Face-off between India-China: which has been unsatisfactory and also misguided.
• Silence of judiciary: the suo-motu attempt to intervene provided no significant relief to the migrants.

Way Forward: Stir collective conscience

• Listen to the words already said: 

• B.R Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly quoted John Stuart Mill, that “not to lay their liberties at the feet of even a great man, or to trust him with the power which enables him to subvert their institutions”
• Bhakti in religion may be a road to salvation, but in politics, it leads to dictatorship.

• Media and Civil Society to guard the nation: as they are the last bastion of a vibrant democracy.

• Quote: “A time like this demands, Strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands.”

• Responsibility of each Citizen: 

• Quote: “The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it.”—Albert Einstein