Violence against health-care workers made punishable offence

Violence against health-care workers made punishable offence

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Health; Governance 

In News:

• The Union Cabinet has approved promulgation (put into effect) of Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 in the light of COVID-19 pandemic situation. 

Key takeaways:

• The ordinance makes acts of violence against the healthcare workers as cognizable and non-bailable offences.
• Under it , there is also a provision to provide compensation for injury to healthcare service personnel or for causing damage or loss to the property.
• The investigation into the cases of attack will be completed within 30 days and judgment will be pronounced within one year. 
• Accused of the attack can attract a punishment ranging from 3 months to 5 years and a fine from 50 thousand rupees to  2 lakh rupees. 
• A compensation amounting to twice the market value of the damaged property will be taken from the accused if damage is done to the vehicles or clinics. 

Important value additions:

Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897

• This law enables states to ban public gatherings, ask schools and large institutions to stop functioning, and issue advisories to companies to explore work-from-home models.  
• It also gives the state a right to penalise media organisations spreading misinformation. 
• For background and features, click here.