Parliament passed a bill that punishes those who attack doctors and health workers with 5 years in prison
New Delhi:
The Rajya Sabha today passed legislation that provides up to five years in jail for those who attack doctors and healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 outbreak or during any situation similar to the current pandemic.
The 2020 Epidemic Disease (Amendment) Bill was introduced by Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan in the Upper House on Saturday to replace an ordinance issued by the government in April.
The Union Cabinet had enacted the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance of 2020 to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 to protect health care personnel and property, including their living / working premises against violence during epidemics.
The bill is intended to ensure that during any situation similar to the current pandemic, there is zero tolerance for any form of violence against health service personnel and property damage.
Health service personnel include clinical and public health service providers such as physicians, nurses, paramedical workers, and community health workers; any other person empowered by law to take measures to prevent the outbreak of the disease or its spread; and the persons declared as such by the state government, by notification in the Official Gazette.
Criminal provisions can be invoked in cases of damage to property, including a clinical facility, any facility identified for quarantine and isolation of patients, mobile medical units, and any other property in which health service personnel have a direct interest in relation to with the epidemic.
Violations will be investigated by an officer of the rank of inspector within a period of 30 days, and the trial must be completed in one year, unless the court extends it for reasons that must be recorded in writing, the bill proposes.
According to its provisions, the commission or complicity of such acts of violence is punishable by a prison sentence of three months to five years and a fine of Rs 50,000 to 2,00,000.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
.
