President grants assent to ordinance for safety of COVID warriors against violence

President Kovind has given his assent to the ordinance that was approved by the Cabinet making acts of violence against health care workers as cognizable & non-bailable offences.

The Union Cabinet approved promulgation of Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 in the light of COVID-19 pandemic situation  making  acts of violence against the healthcare  workers as cognizable and non-bailable offences. President Kovind has given hs assent to the ordinance.

Under it , there is a provision  to provide compensation for injury to healthcare service personnel or for causing damage or loss to the property. Briefing media in New Delhi after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar said that health workers who are trying to save the country from this COVID-19 pandemic  are unfortunately facing attacks. Javadekar said, no incident of violence or harassment, against them will be tolerated. He said the investigation  into the cases of attack on healthcare workers will be completed within 30 days and judgment will be pronounced within one  year.

MIB Minister Javadekar said, the 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. He said, in case of grievous injuries, the accused can be sentenced from 6 months to 7 years and they can also be penalized from one lakh to 5 lakh rupees. Javadekar said, 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.