Attacks on health workers to attract up to 7 years in prison

Union Cabinet approves promulgation of ordinance

23/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

Battle ready: Medics performing a mock drill in Ernakulam district of Kerala on Wednesday.PTI

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the promulgation of an ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, making acts of violence against medical staff a cognisable and non-bailable offence and to provide compensation for injury to healthcare personnel or for damage or loss to property.

The ordinance proposes that in cases of attacks on healthcare workers, the investigation will be completed within 30 days and the final decision arrived at within one year.

The punishment for such attacks will be three months to five years and the fine ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh.

In severe cases, where there are grievous injuries, the punishment will be six months to seven years and the fine ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh.

‘Zero tolerance’

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, in a series of tweets after the announcement, said that as per the “new ordinance, there shall be zero tolerance to any incidents of violence against healthcare service personnel and/or damage to property. All offences of violence will be cognisable and non-bailable”.

“This will facilitate punishment under the law in cases of violence against healthcare service personnel serving during an epidemic. Public venting of angst against healthcare service personnel leading to harassment assault and damage to property is being highlighted daily. Portrayal as potential spreaders of COVID-19 pandemic played havoc with the confidence of the medical community which is demanding protection,’’ the Health Minister tweeted.

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