e)', for which the Punjab model is being studied.

Punjab's initiative to pass such an ordinance, becoming third state in the country to do so, has spurred private practitioners in Haryana to step up their efforts for a similar bill in the state to protect interests of doctors. The state branch of Indian Medical Association has submitted memorandums to the Haryana health minister and the chief minister, demanding such a legislative solution.

VK Bhatia, president of IMA, Panipat, who led the delegation of doctors to meet the chief minister on Wednesday informed The Times Of India, "There have been at least 50 cases of assault on doctors across Haryana in the past six months. This is a very worrying condition for us since doctors stand to lose hard earned reputation besides being mentally harassed." Such a bill, added he, will also work in the interest of the patients as it will empower the doctor to take up serious cases without fear. "As of now, doctors prefer to play it safe and there is a certain restlessness in taking up very serious cases," he said.

"We are studying Punjab model of the bill passed to work out modalities as to how a similar bill can be worked out in the state," said Avinash Sharma, director general health services, Haryana.
Two weeks ago, a patient died in a private hospital in Jhajjar, after being rushed there in a critical condition. His relatives threatened the doctor, manhandled him besides shouting slogans against him.
In another case, a fortnight ago, a doctor's clinic in Bahadurgarh, was attacked by relatives of a patient, who died due to alleged negligence of the doctor.

The bill in Punjab, as in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, has prohibited violence against medicare service persons or damage to property. Any offender found guilty of this is liable to face an imprisonment of three years along with a fine of up to Rs 50,000, besides being liable to pay a penalty of twice the amount of purchase price of medical equipment damaged. (The Times Of India September18th, 2008.)

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