Picture : Twitter / ANI
The Union cabinet has cleared an ordinance on protecting health workers from attacks . This was announced at a media briefing by Prakash Javadekar ,Union Minister Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Minister of Information and Broadcasting .
“Health workers who are trying to save the country from this epidemic are unfortunately facing attacks. No incident of violence or harassment, against them will be tolerated. An ordinance has been brought in, it’ll be implemented after the President’s sanction,” the minister said. The ordinance carries imprisonment from six months to seven years if anyone is found guilty.
“An amendment will be made to the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and Ordinance will be implemented. Such crime will now be cognizable and non-bailable. Investigation will be done within 30 days. Accused can be sentenced from 3 months to 5 years and penalised from Rs 50,000 upto Rs 2 lakh.
“If damage is done to the vehicles or clinics of healthcare workers, then a compensation amounting to twice the market value of the damaged property will be taken from the accused,” the minister said.
