Rs 5 lakh penalty! Epidemic Diseases Act amended to ensure safety of Corona warriors
Coronavirus India: After series of offenses against the health workers in various parts of India, the Narendra Modi Government amended the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897.
Coronavirus India: After series of offenses against the health workers in various parts of India, the Narendra Modi Government amended the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 to ensure their safety. After the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 amendment, any act of offense against the healthcare service personnel and property including their living or working premises during epidemic have become cognizable and non-bailable offenses. President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent for promulgation of the Epidemic Diseases Act amendment ordinance 2020. The Ministry of of Health and Family Welfare informed about the amendment yesterday through a written statement.
Informing about the Epidemic Diseases Act amendment ordinance 2020, the Ministry of of Health and Family Welfare said, "The Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 22nd April 2020 has approved promulgation of an Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 to protect healthcare service personnel and property including their living/working premises against violence during epidemics. The President has given his assent for promulgation of the Ordinance. The Ordinance provides for making such acts of violence cognizable and non-bailable offences and for compensation for injury to healthcare service personnel or for causing damage or loss to the property in which healthcare service personnel may have a direct interest in relation to the epidemic."
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Informing about the volume of punishment for offense against the Corona warriors the ministry said, "The amendment makes acts of violence cognizable and non-bailable offences. Commission or abetment of such acts of violence shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of three months to five years, and with fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 2,00,000. In case of causing grievous hurt, imprisonment shall be for a term six months to seven years and with fine of Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000. In addition, the offender shall also be liable to pay compensation to the victim and twice the fair market value for damage of property."
Offences shall be investigated by an officer of the rank of Inspector within a period of 30 days, and trial has to be completed in one year, unless extended by the court for reasons to be recorded in writing.
The current Ordinance is intended to ensure that during any situation akin to the current pandemic, there is zero tolerance to any form of violence against healthcare service personnel and damage to property. Violence as defined in the Ordinance will include harassment and physical injury and damage to property. Healthcare service personnel include public and clinical healthcare service providers such as doctors, nurses, paramedical workers and community health workers; any other persons empowered under the Act to take measures to prevent the outbreak of the disease or spread thereof; and any persons declared as such by the State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette.
10:13 AM IST