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Rajya sabha passed The epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020. Bill was presented by Health minister Dr.Harsh Vardhan on Saturday to replace an ordinance issued by the Government in April. Bill amends the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1987. It aimed to protect healthcare workers fighting the epidemic disease and expands the power central government.
Further bill defines health care personnel and also explains the act of violence.
Bill seeks to protect health care personnel by criminalising attacks on medical workers, contravention of provision results into imprisonment between 3 month to five years and fine between Rs. 50000 to Rs. 2 lakh.
The central government with an objective to spread the message of zero - tolerance to any form of violence against frontline workers engaged in health sector and damage to their property.
Any healthcare personnel who has suffered damage to their property such as clinical establishment, or any other property related to health care service personnel who have direct interest due to the epidemic can invoke the provisions of this act. The act is applicable to healthcare service personnel from public and clinical healthcare service providers such as doctors, nurses, paramedical workers and community health workers
“Healthcare service personnel means a person who while carrying out his duties in relation to epidemic related responsibilities, may come in direct contact with affected patients and thereby is at the risk of being impacted by such disease”
Offence shall be considered as a cognizable and non bailable. Once a crime is legally registered, the offence will be investigated by an officer of the rank of inspector within a period of 30 days and the trial has to be completed within a year, If the trial is not concluded within the said period, the Judge shall record the reasons for not having done so;
Provided further that the said period may be extended by such further period, for reasons to be recorded in writing, but not exceeding six months at a time. Central Government may take such measures, as it deems fit and prescribe regulations as may be necessary
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