Modi government’s big decision, Now 7 years jail, Rs 5 lakh fine for Attack on Doctors, Nurses, Health workers
New Delhi, April 22, 2020: In view of the increasing cases of attacks on health workers, the Center on Wednesday announced tougher punishment for the attackers. Indian Medical Association (IMA) has welcomed the decision.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said in a press conference, “In case of a serious attack, the attackers will be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 6 months to seven years and a fine ranging from Rs 1 to 5 lakh.”
He added, ‘The attack on health workers who are putting themselves at risk to save the country from the epidemic is unfortunate. The incident of an attack or exploitation against them is unbearable. Under it, an ordinance has been introduced which will be implemented with the approval of the President.”
Javadekar further said, “The ordinance will be implemented with an amendment to the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897. Doctors and health workers should not be attacked. It will be a non-bailable offence. The attackers will have to pay double the damages for the attack clinic or vehicle.”
Apart from this, he also announced insurance of Rs 50 lakh for health workers. He said, ‘The government will take care of the health workers. An order for PPE amounting to 1.88 crores has been placed.
Later Javadekar tweeted, “Modi government brings safety net for Corona Warriors. Attacks against life saviours will not be tolerated. The ordinance promulgated to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act entailing stringent punishment for attacks on healthcare personnel. 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.”
In Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, a health department team appointed to investigate Coronavirus infection was attacked by miscreants last Wednesday. The ambulance was stoned and health workers were attacked. 17 people were arrested in the case.
On April 17, in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, the medical team that went to survey the migrant and suspicious people were attacked near Faridpur. Their mobiles phones were snatched and miscreants tried to tear apart the register in which they were collecting information.
