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.
