Malerkotla, July 30:
Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairman of the District Road Safety Committee, Viraj S. Tirkey, has appealed to residents of the district not to hesitate in helping people injured in road accidents and to make maximum use of the Central Government’s PM Road Accident Relief Scheme, Hit-and-Run Compensation Scheme, and Raah Veer Scheme.
He said that under the PM Road Accident Relief Scheme, a person injured in a road accident is entitled to cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh for the first seven days following the accident. He emphasized that the first 24 hours after an accident, known as the “Golden Hour,” are the most critical for saving lives, and hospitals have been instructed to ensure immediate medical treatment. The scheme is available to both Indian and foreign nationals, and vehicle insurance is not mandatory to avail of its benefits.
The Deputy Commissioner further stated that under the Hit-and-Run Compensation Scheme, if the offending vehicle cannot be identified, the legal heirs of the deceased are entitled to ₹2 lakh as financial assistance.
Under the Raah Veer Scheme, any individual who saves the life of an accident victim by ensuring they are taken to a hospital during the Golden Hour will receive a cash reward of ₹25,000 along with a certificate of appreciation. A person can receive this award up to five times in a year. If more than one person jointly assists the victim, the reward amount will be shared equally among them.
Regional Transport Officer Karanbir Singh Cheena said that under the Good Samaritan Guidelines, those who help accident victims are protected from unnecessary police or legal proceedings. After admitting the injured person to the hospital, the helper is free to leave immediately without facing any obligations. Once the police and hospital verify the assistance provided, the reward amount is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
He urged the public to immediately report road accidents by calling 112 or 108, ensure that the injured are taken to the nearest hospital without delay, and follow traffic rules to help prevent road accidents and save lives.