Clearing the air over the issue of Rs 1 Lakh penalty and Jail up to two years for not wearing mask, Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta said that there are many misconceptions regarding Jharkhand Infectious Diseases Ordinance 2020. He said that the exorbitant fine is just a rumor and it has nothing to do with the ordinance.
Gupta said there was no law in the State to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and infection, so this ordinance has to be brought. “Odisha and Kerala have also brought ordinances to their states. Therefore, the Government of Jharkhand has also brought this ordinance in public interest,” he added.
The Minister said some people, along with opposition parties, are doing malicious politics by spreading rumors about this ordinance, which is completely condemnable.
“This proposal has been brought to protect human life and it is still under process. It has got approval from the cabinet. A draft of the Regulation is ready, which after going through the departmental process, will go to the Governor for approval and will come into the law only after it is approved. The Government is constantly reviewing this and it will be implemented from the point of view of public interest. Rs One lakh penalty will be imposed on those who spread the infection by organizing it and there is a provision of different penalties in different rules to ensure compliance with the instructions issued by the State Government in which the maximum penalty amount will be Rs One lakh or jail upto two years,” said Gupta.
The Minister clarified that if one does not wear mask then a separate and comprehensible penalty amount has been provisioned but if a person or group is found guilty of intentionally spreading infection then the upper limit of penalty and jail can be applicable on such cases.
“There is a provision of different punishment and punishment for the wrongdoers and those who violate the instructions in different categories. The maximum penalty will be 1 lakh rupees. Different penalty amount is proposed in other cases, including not applying masks, gathering crowds, spreading infection, gathering crowds and others,” said Gupta.
Meanwhile Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee (JPCC) Chief and Food Supply Minister, Rameshwar Oraon said on Sunday that the high power committee formed by the State Government is eyeing the situation of the State and Chief Minister Hemant Soren will take final decision in wake of increasing corona infection in the State. He said that livelihood is also important with life, keeping in mind all these facts, the Government will take a decision.
Oraon said after increasing the number of corona infected patients, the health department is constantly working on increasing beds and other health facilities in the State.