The state government on Thursday appointed an additional inspector general of police rank officer as the nodal officer to act immediately on any complaints of attacks on doctors, nurses and para-medical staff in the state.
On Wednesday, the Centre had promulgated an ordinance by amending the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, which allows imprisonment from six months and up to seven years, along with a fine up to Rs 5 lakh for people found guilty of assaulting healthcare workers.
Initiating the process, state home deputy secretary ND Kundani issued an order to appoint additional director general of police Rajesh Agrawal as the state nodal officer.
The order said that during the lockdown, security issues faced by the doctors, nurses and health department employees and other officials will be taken care by Agrawal, who is presently posted at the state police headquarters, in Nava Raipur.
Agarwal will function under the guidance and the order of the additional director general of police (intelligence), the order said.