'Need of the hour': Anushka Sharma hails Centre's ordinance for healthcare workers

Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an ordinance, making acts of violence and harassment against healthcare personnel deployed in combating COVID-19 a n-bailable offence with maximum punishment of seven years imprisonment and Rs 5 lakh fine.

ordinance will protect whole healthcare fraternity, including doctors, nurses and ASHA workers, an official release said.

Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma took to her Instagram handle and wrote, "This is great news and need of hour"

Amid rising incidents of violence against healthcare workers on frontline of fight against COVID-19, IMA h called for a nation-wide 'White Alert', asking doctors and hospitals across country to light candles on Wednesday as a protest against such attacks. However, earlier in day, association called off protest after a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit shah.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) h also been demanding a Central law to deal with crimes against healthcare professionals. 

Coronavirus Live Updates: Centre to pass ordinance to protect COVID warriors; cases- 20471

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said re can be compromise on safety of healthcare professionals fighting COVID-19 pandemic, and asserted that ordinance approved by Union cabinet shows government's commitment in this regard.

He said ordinance will ensure safety of our professionals. "re can be compromise on ir safety!," Modi tweeted, and ded that Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 "manifested government's commitment to protect each and every healthcare worker who is bravely battling COVID-19 on frontline."

Ordinance for protection of healthcare workers

dressing a press briefing earlier in day, Union I&B Minister Prakash Javekar anunced that Union Cabinet h approved an ordinance to protect health workers. Basically, Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 has been amended to make an attack on health workers a cognisable and n-bailable offence. investigation in such cases has to be completed within 30 days and verdict will have to be delivered within one year. Assault on health workers will attract a penalty of Rs.50,000 to 2 lakh and a jail term of 3 months to 5 years.

(With PTI inputs)