Delhi Government on Tuesday promulgated an order directing strict penal action against landlords who are forcing doctors to vacate their rented residences. The order comes in a series of similar directions and orders that are issued to protect the nation from deadly disease of Coronavirus. It is pertinent to note that the entire has been put under lockdown and PM Modi has asked everyone to stay at home, with exception granted only to essential and emergency services for the people. In such a time, when the world is fighting a common enemy, doctors and healthcare workers have a crucial role to play as they risk their own lives to care for people at hospitals.
A peculiar situation arose in Delhi when a lot of complaints were received from doctors/paramedical staff/ healthcare personnel all over NCT of Delhi, that their landlords/ house-owners were forcing them to vacate their residences.
As per the order, such behaviour has been considered to be obstruction of public servant in discharging their duties. Government of NCT of Delhi has already issued the Delhi Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations,2020 under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 for prevention and containment of COVID-19.
In exercise of the above powers, all the District Magistrates/ Zonal Deputy Commissioners of Municipal Corporations/ District Deputy Commissioners of Police were directed to take strict penal against such landlords/ house-owners under the relevant provisions of law and submit an Action Taken Report on a daily basis to the office of Addl. Chief Secretary (Home), Govt. of NCT of Delhi.
Such timely and prompt action of the Government of issuing such order shall encourage doctors/ healthcare workers to perform their service without fear of losing their residences in times of crisis and especially, when they are on frontline in protecting us all from the clutches of this pandemic.
-Gurjot Singh