ITANAGAR, Jun 28: The state cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu in its meeting here on Friday approved the Arunachal Pradesh Protection of Medical Service Personnel & Medical Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss of Property) Bill, 2019, to be tabled in the budget session starting on 8 July.
Among other important bills, the Arunachal Pradesh State Higher Education Council Bill, 2019, the Arunachal Pradesh Goods & Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2019, the Arunachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Bill, 2019, and the Arunachal Pradesh Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2019, were approved by the cabinet to be tabled in the assembly session.
The cabinet also approved the regulation of use of sports stadiums, and creation of five posts of coaches (two for football, one for Wushu, and two for Taekwondo) in the sports department.
The council of ministers also approved the proposal for granting special remission to prisoners of specific categories and their release in the second of the three phases, as part of the commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The cabinet was later briefed on the status and the way forward for acquisition of land for the Joram-Koloriang road and the Potin-Bopi road.
t was also informed about the National Green Tribunal’s direction to the forest department.
A PowerPoint presentation on the status of the smart city projects for Itanagar and Pasighat was presented by officers of the urban development department.
IMA-AP welcomes decision
Meanwhile, the state branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA-AP) has welcomed the passing of the protection of medical personnel bill, terming it a “historic decision and important gesture of the government of Arunachal to the medical fraternity and healthcare personnel of the state.”
“This will be a turning point in doctors-patients relationship, and also address the larger issue of healthcare violence in the state,” the IMA-AP stated in a release, and expressed gratitude to the chief minister and his council of ministers for “addressing effectively the root cause of violence in hospitals and on doctors.”
It said the gesture should be used for promoting trust between doctors and patients.
“The IMA trusts the state government, and is willing to participate in and contribute to all-round development of the state,” it said.
The IMA branch also appeal to the doctors and medical personnel of the state to “work harder with more empathy and human touch while dealing with patients, and serve the people of the state in their best capacity.” (With CMO input)
