Question: Consider the following statementThe Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020:
- In the case of grievous injuries to the healthcare workers, the accused can face imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 7 years.
- The offence has also been made a non-bailable offence.
Choose the correct one:
(a) Only (1)
(b) Only (2)
(c) Both (1) and (2)
(d) None of the above
Answer:(c)
Related facts:
- The Central government has today promulgated an Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 to make attacks on doctors and healthcare workers a cognizable and non-bailable offence.
- The Ordinance is called ‘The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020’
- The Union Cabinet had approved the ordinance on April 22.
- The ordinance seeks to end violence against health workers amid several reports of attacks on medics. It seeks to make such acts of violence as non-bailable offences, increase maximum penalty to 7 years of jail term and provide compensation for the damage caused to property.
- The ordinance defines violence as harassment and physical injury to the medical personnel and damage to property.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued directions to all the states to ensure adequate security to the medical staff, healthcare professionals and other frontline workers to end violence against them.
- The IMA had proposed to hold ‘White alert’ and ‘Black day’ protests on April 22 and 23.
- The protests have now been called off.
New Amendments to Epidemic Act 1897
• The new amendments include heavy fines for any kind of violence against health workers and imprisonment up to 7 years. The offence has also been made a non-bailable offence.
- In the case of grievous injuries to the healthcare workers, the accused can face imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 7 years. They can also be penalised with a fine ranging from Rs 1-5 Lakhs.
- Such crimes have also been made cognizable and non-bailable. The investigation in such cases will be done within 30 days.
- Those found guilty will be sentenced to a jail term ranging from 3 months to 5 years and will face fine worth Rs 50000 to Rs 2 lakh.
- Besides this, the amendments include provisions to provide compensation for the injury caused to the healthcare service personnel or for causing any kind of damage or loss to the property. For the damage caused to the vehicles or clinics of the medics, the accused will be required to pay a compensation amount, which will be twice the market value of the damaged property.
Links:
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/covid-19-update-president-ram-nath-kovind-s-nod-to-promulgate-ordinance-to-punish-those-attacking-healthcare-staff/story-f0HaDIpTxRD0mqOYJVIEaM.html
https://www.northeasttoday.in/2020/04/23/prez-ram-nath-kovind-gives-nod-for-promulgating-ordinance-to-punish-those-attacking-healthcare-workers/
https://www.northeasttoday.in/2020/04/23/prez-ram-nath-kovind-gives-nod-for-promulgating-ordinance-to-punish-those-attacking-healthcare-workers/
https://www.barandbench.com/news/read-the-epidemic-diseases-amendment-ordinance-2020-promulgated-to-punish-those-attacking-healthcare-workers