States and State LegislaturesSikkim Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic (till April 22, 2020)Prachi Kaur- April 22, 2020As of April 22, 2020, Sikkimdoes not have any confirmed casesof COVID-19.  As of April 21, 2020, 87 samples have been sent for testing from Sikkim.  Of these, 80 have testednegativefor COVID-19, and the results of seven samples areawaited.  The state has announced several policy decisions to prevent the spread of the virus and provide relief for those affected by it.  In this blog post, we summarise some of the key measures taken by the Sikkim state government in this regard as of April 22, 2020.Response before national lockdownOn March 16, the state government responded to the growing number of suspected cases in India bynotifying certain directionsto be applicable till April 15, 2020.  These included: (i) banning the entry of alldomestic and foreign touristsin to the state, (ii) closing all educational institutes and anganwadis, (iii) prohibiting the use of recreational facilities such as, casinos, gym, and cinemas, (iii) closing three out of five check posts (border opening) for all visitors in to the state and opening the other two only for medical and police teams, and (iv) banning private industries from getting migrant workers from outside the state and avoiding large concentration of workers at one place.On March 19, assembly of more than five people wasprohibitedin the state until April 15, 2020.  The governmentorderedthe suspension of all non-essential work on March 19.  The supply of all essential commodities such as food grains, vegetables, sanitisers and masks was allowed.  Further, the formation of a sub-divisional task force to detect suspected cases was ordered.On March 22, the governmentregulatedintra-state movement of private vehicles, two-wheelers and taxis on an odd-even basis (allowing plying of vehicles on alternate days as per the number plate) until April 15, 2020.  The government alsoreducedthe budget session of the state to two days on March 23.On March 25, the central governmentannouncedon a 21-day country-wide lockdown till April 14.  During the lockdown the state government took various steps for physical containment, health, financial and welfare measures.  These are detailed below.Measures taken during lockdownMovement RestrictionsCertain movement restrictions were put across the state.   These include:Movement of vehicles: Inter-state movement of vehicles wasrestrictedto vehicles transporting essential goods.  These vehicles need to have a permanent pass for such movement.  On April 5, intra-state movement of vehicles wasrestrictedto government officials, transportation of essential commodities, banks and PSUs, and media and cable networks.   Their passes arevalidonly from 8am to 5pm.Validity of passes:  The state government noted that a large number of vehicle passes were issued due to various reasons.  On April 14, the governmentorderedthat all passes issued by District Magistrates, and other Departmental Authorities (except those issued by the police, health department and forest and environment department) will be invalid from April 14.  New passes will beissuedonly by Magistrates and Block Development Officers.Securing borders:  In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and to check unauthorised cross-border infiltration from China, Nepal, and Bhutan, the state governmentsecuredall porous borders along the Rangpo river and other vulnerable areas.Essential Goods and ServicesOn April 5, the state governmentissuedan order requiring establishments such as shops, hotels, private offices, and commercial establishments to remain closed until April 15.  Establishments which werepermitted to remain functionalinclude law enforcement agencies, health services, electricity and water services, petrol pumps, and media.  Shops for PDS, groceries, vegetables, milk and, medicines were only allowed remain open from 9 am to 4 pm.Valid prescription and label required:  On March 25, the stateprohibitedthe sale of hand sanitisers without drug manufacturing licence label.  It alsoprohibitedsale of N95 masks to general public without valid prescription.Transit camps:  On April 17, the state governmentnotifiedthat transit camps (temporary accommodation) will be set up for drivers and helpers of vehicles carrying essential goods.Health MeasuresOn March 31, the Sikkim governmentidentifiedand set up dedicated isolation wards and treatment centres in the STNM hospital, Sochakgang as a precautionary measure.  The government also issueddirectionsfor citizens to avoid getting infected by coronavirus.  These included social distancing, and maintaining proper hygiene.On April 18, the state governmentmade it mandatoryfor all the public, students, teachers, and government employees, to install the Aarogya Setu application.  The government of Indialauncheda mobile app called ‘Aarogya Setu’ to enable people to assess the risk of catching COVID-19 on April 2, 2020.   The app uses Bluetooth and Global Positioning System (GPS) based device location for contact tracing in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.Welfare MeasuresEconomic relief package:  On March 27, an economic relief package wasannouncedby the state government.   Thisincludedfree ration in specific quantities (other than the PDS entitlement) to needy families in rural and urban areas, daily wagers, migrant labourers, casual workers, and stranded people.  Further, the governmentannouncedan additional incentive wage of Rs 300/day for tea workers at Temi-tea estate.Food distribution:  On April 16, the governmentannouncedthat Asha workers will be given Rs 5,000 as honorarium for work done during COVID-19.  Further, itorderedthe food and civil supply department to compile a list of all the left out beneficiaries for distribution of food relief packages.Relief to stranded patients:  On April 16, the government announced that afinancial reliefof Rs 30,000 will be provided to each patient undergoing treatment and stranded outside Sikkim from the Chief Minister's relief fund.Relief for casual workers:On March 30, the Sikkim government issueddirectionstoall contractors/ employers to pay migrant and casual labourers on the due date without any deductions due to the lockdown.  The state government alsoprovidedgrants worth Rs 2,000 to the 7,836 registered building and other construction workers in the state.Relief for stranded students:On March 29, the stateannouncedthat it will provide Rs 5,000 to each state student stranded outside Sikkim during the nationwide lockdown.Certain relaxations after 20thAprilOn April 14, the nation-wide lockdown was furtherextendedtill May 3, 2020.  On April 15, the Ministry of Home Affairsissued guidelinesoutlining select activities which will be permitted from April 20 onwards.  These activities include health services, agriculture related activities, certain financial sector activities, operation of Anganwadis, MNREGA works, and cargo movement.  Further, subject to certain conditions, commercial and private establishments, industrial establishments, government offices, and construction activities will also bepermitted.  The Sikkim government took the following steps in the same line.On April 19, the state governmentgave directionsto all government and PSU offices to work with up to one-third of their actual staff strength from April 20 onwards.On April 19, the state governmentgave directionsandstandard operating proceduresto be followed at manufacturing establishments, work spaces and public places post April 20.  These include: (i) no overlapping shifts, (ii) staggered lunch breaks, (iii) training on good hygiene practices, (iv) compulsory wearing of face cover, and (v) sanitising workplaces between shifts.For more information on the spread of COVID-19 and the central and state government response to the pandemic, please seehere.ParliamentFirst no-confidence motion of the 17th Lok Sabha discussed todayNiranjana Menon- August 8, 2023Discussion on the first no-confidence motion of the 17thLok Sabha began today.  No-confidence motions and confidence motions are trust votes, used to test or demonstrate the support of Lok Sabha for the government in power.  Article 75(3) of the Constitution states that the government is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha.  This means that the government must always enjoy the support of a majority of the members of Lok Sabha.  Trust votes are used to examine this support.  The government resigns if a majority of members support a no-confidence motion, or reject a confidence motion.So far, 28 no-confidence motions (including the one being discussed today) and 11 confidence motions have beendiscussed.  Over the years, the number of such motions has reduced.  The mid-1960s and mid-1970s saw more no-confidence motions, whereas the 1990s saw more confidence motions.Figure1: Trust votes in ParliamentNote: *Term shorter than 5 years; **6-year term.Source: Statistical Handbook 2021, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; PRS.The no-confidence motion being discussed today wasmovedon July 26, 2023.  A motion of no-confidence is moved with the support of at least 50 members.   The Speaker has the discretion to allot time for discussion of the motion.  TheRules of Procedurestate that the motion must be discussed within 10 days of being introduced.  This year, the no-confidence motion wasdiscussed13 calendar days after introduction.  Since the introduction of the no-confidence motion on July 26, 12 Bills have been introduced and 18 Bills have been passed by Lok Sabha.  In the past, on four occasions, the discussion on no-confidence motions began seven days after their introduction.  On these occasions, Bills and other important issues were debated before the discussion on the no-confidence motion began.Figure2: Members rise in support of the motion of no-confidence in Lok SabhaSource: Sansad TV, Lok Sabha, July 26, 2023; PRS.Figure3: Number of days from introduction to discussion on no-confidence motionsNote: Number of days implies calendar days.Source: Statistical Handbook 2021, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; PRS.On average, no-confidence motions (excluding the one being discussed today) have been discussed for 13 hours over three days.  Discussions have lasted longer than 20 hours on four instances, most recently in 2003.  Today’s no-confidence motion was allotted 12 hours discussion time by theBusiness Advisory Committee.Following the discussion, the motion is put to vote.  26 out of 27 no-confidence motions (excluding the one being discussed today) have been voted upon and rejected.  This means that no government has ever had to resign following a vote of no-confidence.   On one occasion, in 1979, the discussion on a no-confidence motion against the Morarji Desai government remained inconclusive.  He resigned before the motion was put to vote.  50% of all no-confidence motions (14 out of 28) were discussed between 1965 and 1975.  Of these, 12 were against governments headed by Indira Gandhi.Figure4: Duration of discussion on no-confidence motionsNote: This graph excludes the no confidence motion moved on July 26, 2023.Source: Statistical Handbook 2021, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; PRS.In comparison, confidence motions have a more varied history.  The first motion, brought in 1979 to demonstrate confidence in Charan Singh’s government, was not discussed at all.  The Prime Minister resigned before the discussion could take place.  Since then, 11 confidence motions have been discussed in Lok Sabha, with nine occurring in the 1990s.  During this period, several coalition governments were formed, and Prime Ministers sought to prove their majority throughconfidence motions.   These motions have been discussed, on average, for 12 hours over two days.Figure5: Duration of discussion of confidence motionsSource: Statistical Handbook 2021, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; PRS.Of the 11 confidence motions discussed in Lok Sabha, seven were accepted.  On three instances, governments had to resign as they could not prove that they had the support of the majority.  On one instance in 1996, the motion was not put to vote.  Following an eleven-hour discussion on this confidence motion, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced his intention to resign on the floor of the House.  He resigned 16 days into his term.Vajpayee became Prime Minister again in 1999, and faced another confidence motion.   This time, it was put to vote.   The motion was defeated by a margin of one vote.  This has been the closest result on a trust vote in the history of Lok Sabha.  The next closest result was when a motion of no-confidence against P V Narasimha Rao’s government was defeated by 14 votes in 1993.  In most cases, results have been in favour of the government by a large margin.«12345678910»
States and State LegislaturesSikkim Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic (till April 22, 2020)Prachi Kaur- April 22, 2020