NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of attacks on healthcare personnel fighting coronavirus, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an ordinance making acts of violence against them as cognizable and non-bailable offences, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said. Meanwhile, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in India stands at 20,471 while the death toll has reached 652, according to the Union health ministry.
Here are the top developments:
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India
- The ordinance approved by the Union Cabinet said that in case of grievous injuries to the health workers, the accused can be sentenced from 6 months to 7 years. They can be penalised from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
- The ordinance also provides for compensation for injury to healthcare service personnel or for causing damage or loss to property. The proposed ordinance will amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a video conference with the chief ministers of all the states on April 27 over the Covid-19 crisis.
- The Cabinet okayed Rs 15,000 crore for ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package’ to mount an urgent response for containing the spread of the virus in India through development of dedicated treatment facilities and setting up laboratories among others.
- The Union health ministry advised chief secretaries of all states and Union territories to adopt adequate measures in ensuring the safety of health workers involved in Covid-19 services.
- The Centre has asked all the states and Union territories to encou