Rajya Sabha passes bill to punish those who attack health workers

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Bill for healthcare workers (Image: Twitter)
Bill for healthcare workers (Image: Twitter)

New Delhi : The Rajya Sabha on Saturday passed a bill that would entitle a jail term for up to five years to those who will be found guilty of attacking doctors and healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 outbreak or during any situation akin to the current pandemic.

The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was introduced by Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan in the Upper House on Saturday to replace an ordinance issued by the government in April.

The Union Cabinet had brought into effect The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, to protect healthcare service personnel and property, including their living/working premises against violence during epidemics.

The Bill ensures zero-tolerance against any type of violence against healthcare workers.

The 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.

Offences will be investigated by an officer of the rank of inspector within a period of 30 days, and the trial has to be completed in one year unless extended by the court for reasons to be recorded in writing, the Bill proposes.

As per its provisions, the commission or abetment of such acts of violence will be punishable with imprisonment for a term of three months to five years, and with a fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 2,00,000.