After incidents of several attacks on Doctors and healthcare staff across nation, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved promulgation of Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 making acts of violence on healthcare service personnel as cognizable and non-bailable offence.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar in a press conference said, “Cabinet approves promulgation of Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 making such acts of violence as cognizable and non-bailable offences and to provide compensation for injury to healthcare service personnel or for causing damage or loss to the property.”
“It carries imprisonment from 6 months to 7 years if anyone is found guilty. Violators would also have to pay double the cost of damage of property,” said Javadekar.
The Ordinance would help protect Healthcare service personnel and their living and working premises against violence.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister for Home Affairs, Amit Shah and Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harshvardhan interacted with doctors and senior representatives of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), through a video conference, in New Delhi.
Allaying all concerns of the medical fraternity regarding their security in the fight against Coronavirus, the Home Minister has assured them that the government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring their well being and security.
Considering the immediate response from the Union government, the IMA has withdrawn the proposed protest to maintain the fight against COVID-19 in an uninterrupted manner.
