In a significant legislative move, the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP Government presented the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024 in the State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika introduced the bill on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta.
The proposed legislation is aimed at promoting social awareness and establishing a secure, science-oriented framework to safeguard public health from detrimental practices rooted in ignorance and misinformation. It seeks to eradicate non-scientific healing methods employed with malicious intent to exploit unsuspecting individuals.
According to Section 3 of the bill, the government is empowered to prohibit evil or magical healing practices for the treatment of specific diseases and health conditions. Furthermore, Section 4 permits the government to prohibit deceptive advertising related to such practices.
Key provisions of the bill target the suppression of inhumane, evil, or magical healing practices. Section 5 grants the government authority to impose penalties for engaging in or promoting such practices. Section 6 extends this to include imprisonment for up to three years, or a fine of Rs 50,000, or both.
Repeat offenders may face up to five years in prison or a fine of Rs 1 lakh, or both, as stipulated in the bill. Additionally, Section 9 enables the government to designate police officers as vigilance officers to enforce the provisions of the legislation. Section 16 empowers the government to formulate rules for the effective implementation of the bill.
