The Gauhati High Court recently comprising of a bench of Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and Justice Manish Choudhury sought a response from the Assam State Government regarding its proposed scheme for providing compensation and social security to doctors and other frontline health workers who are exposed to serious risks while discharging their professional duties especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Facts of the case
A bunch of pleas (including a suo moto case) was filed praying for a scheme dealing with social security, financial assistance, and compensation aspects regarding such doctors and frontline health workers.
The State Government filing its response in the matter apprised the Court of a scheme, providing treatment, financial assistance, and compensation, however, it was pointed that the said scheme is specifically for economically weaker sections of the society and not specifically meant for doctors who are victims of assaults during COVID.
Contention of the Parties
The counsel for the petitioner drew the courts attention to the Notification dated 01.02.2019 issued by the Political (A) Department, Government of Assam providing for payment of compensation in respect of the victims of acid attack, victim of lynching, public mob violence, witch-hunting, rape, sexual assault, etc. The said scheme has been prepared under the Assam Victim Compensation Scheme, 2012 which is relatable to Section 357A of the CrPC.
In this regard, the counsel submitted that if the Government also prepares a similar scheme for providing compensation and social security in respect of the doctors and other frontline health workers who are exposed to serious risks while discharging their professional duties specially during the challenging times of Covid-19 pandemic, that would substantially take care of some of the grievances of the doctors and the healthcare workers.
Courts Observation and Judgment
The Court taking note of the above remarked, "The Government may also examine this aspect and file their response on the next date, and we expect that the Government would come up with certain concrete proposals in this regard when we assemble next.
List the cases on 23.11.2021."
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