NEW DELHI : Following complaints from the medical fraternity, the Union Cabinet today decided to make acts of violence against doctors and other medical staff as a cognizable and non-bailable offence.
Union minister Prakash Javadekar said the Cabinet has approved the promulgation of Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. "The central government has brought an ordinance to end violence against health workers.
It carries imprisonment from 6 months to 7 years if anyone is found guilty," Javadekar said adding that attacks on doctors and health professionals will not be tolerated.
Violators would also have to pay double the cost of damage of property. "Health workers who are trying to save the country from this epidemic are