NEW DELHI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government Wednesday said assault on doctors and health workers will now be a cognisable and non-bailable offence and approved an executive order to protect health staffers in the frontline of COVID-19 fight.
The ordinance proposes an investigation of assault on health staff in one month, and justice in a year.
"Assault on health and paramedical staff is proposed to be punished with jail ranging from three months to five years and fine between INR 50,000 (654 U. S. dollars) and INR 200,000 (2,616 U. S. dollars)," federal information minister Prakash Javadekar said. "Grievous assault will attract stricter sentences from six months to seven years of jail and INR 100,000 (1,308 U. S. dollars) to INR 500,000 (6,540 U. S. dollars) fine."
The minister said anyone damaging the property of a healthcare professional will be made to pay twice the market cost of such property.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday took to twitter and said the order demonstrates his government's commitment to protect "each and every healthcare worker" in the country.
"The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 manifests our commitment to protect each and every healthcare worker who is bravely battling COVID-19 on the frontline. It will ensure safety of our professionals. There can be no compromise on their safety!" Modi wrote on twitter. Enditem
