New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an ordinance making acts of violence against healthcare personnel as cognizable and non-bailable offences after several such incidents were reported across the country.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the proposed ordinance also provides for compensation for injury to healthcare service personnel or for causing damage or loss to property.
“In case of grievous injuries, the accused can be sentenced from 6 months to 7 years. They can be penalised from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh,” the minister said.
“Such crime will now be cognizable and non-bailable. An investigation will be done within 30 days. Accused can be sentenced from three months to five years, and penalised from Rs 50,000 up to Rs 2 lakhs,” Javadekar said.
If vehicles and clinics are vandalised then a compensation amounting to twice the market value of the damaged property will be charged from the accused.
