New ordinance: Amendment of Epidemic Diseases Act, 1987

The Union Cabinet on April 22 amended the epidemic ordinance. This amendment brought relief to the medial workers who have hitherto been serving the COVID-19 patients under the threat of certain unscrupulous elements who are targeting the medical workers. The amendment was highly necessitated in the wake of the incidents when the doctors and other medical workers are attacked in several places of the country. At this crucial time, our country like the rest of the world is passing through the toughest phase confronting the coronavirus that has killed around two lakh people worldwide. The timely amendment of the Epidemic Disease Act, 1987 would at least make the perpetrators liable to hefty penalty and imprisonment up to 7 years. The amendment ensures that the investigation must be completed in a timebound way and in addition, if the vehicles and clinics are damaged two times cost would be realized from those responsible. From now on, such violence is not just cognizable but also non-bailable. Apart from that there is provision to provide compensation for injury to healthcare personnel or for causing damage or loss to the property. All those connected with the health care services have reasons to heave a sigh of relief with the amendment to the Act.

Ashok Bordoloi,

Dibrugarh