The Union Cabinet on the 22nd of April, passed an ordinance to curb violence against the medical staff and doctors in India.
According to the approved ordinance, violence against the doctors or any medical staff would be a cognizable and non bailable offence.
Prakash Javadekar, the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Minister of Information and Broadcasting, briefed the meeting and the ordinance to the media.
Mr. Javadekar said he condemned the attacks on the medical staff, especially when they are serving bravely during the pandemic situation due to the Novel Coronavirus.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, “The Central Government has brought an ordinance to end violence against health workers. It carries imprisonment from 6 months to 7 years if anyone is found guilty.” He further added, “”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.”
According to the approved ordinance, the case under the amended Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, would be investigated in a month and a decision would be announced in a year. Besides a hefty fine and imprisonment, the accused would also be liable for the damage to the vehicle or clinic of the medical staff and need to pay twice the amount.
After the Indian Medical Association (IMA) wrote to the Indian Government regarding the increasing violence against the doctors and medical staff, the Union Cabinet unanimously passed an ordinance.
On the 22nd of April, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Harshvardhan conducted a video conference with the IMA doctors, assuring safety to them. Both the Union Ministers spoke to IMA doctors and urged them to call off their protest scheduled on the night of the 22nd of April and black day, on the 23rd of April.
The passed ordinance comes into effect from the 22nd of April 2020.
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