Proposed Scheme Of Compensation/Social Security For Doctors/Frontline Health Workers Handling COVID: Gauhati HC Seeks Assam Govt Response

The Gauhati High Court has 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.

The Bench of Justice N. Kotiswar Singh was hearing a bunch of pleas (including a suo moto case) praying for a scheme dealing with social security, financial assistance, and compensation aspects regarding such doctors and frontline health workers.

Filing its response in the matter, the State Government 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.

Importantly, the counsel for the petitioner indicated that under Assam Victim Compensation Scheme, 2012 which is relatable to Section 357A of the CrPC, the state government had provided for payment of compensation in respect of the victims of acid attack, victims of lynching, public mob violence, witch-hunting, rape, sexual assault, etc.

In view of this, the Counsel argued that the Government should prepare 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 especially during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Therefore, the Court asked the Government to examine this aspect and file their response on the next date (November 23) and to come up with certain concrete proposals in this regard.

In a related matter, in June 2021, taking note of alleged brutal attack on frontline medical workers (Doctors, Nurses & ward boys by attendants of a covid patient and group of persons in the Udali Model Hospital, Hojai District of Assam on June 1, 2021, the Gauhati High Court had sought Assam Government's reply.

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