CM Rekha Gupta's major decision: Cash rewards and legal protection for those who help road accident victims
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Chief Minister Mrs. Rekha Gupta said that the Delhi government has decided to implement the Central Government's "Raah-Veer" scheme in the capital. Under the scheme, citizens who help those seriously injured in road accidents will receive a cash reward of 25,000 rupees and a citation. She said that the Central Government has introduced financial rewards to encourage this humanitarian initiative so that citizens can help accident victims without fear and demonstrate humanity.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta informed that the main objective of this scheme is to motivate the general public to provide medical care to road accident victims within the "golden hour." The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways believes that if more people come forward to help, the death rate in road accidents can be significantly reduced. The Chief Minister said that people often refrain from helping due to fear of legal complications or police action, but this scheme will remove that fear and encourage citizens to come forward.
The Chief Minister said that in a metropolis like Delhi, where thousands of vehicles ply on the roads every day, availability of medical assistance within the golden hour can prove to be the deciding factor between life and death. By providing incentives and legal protection to those who help, more people will be encouraged to immediately take accident victims to the hospital, thereby saving precious lives. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the Delhi Government will strengthen both road safety and human sensitivity by effectively implementing this scheme.
According to the Chief Minister, the Ministry has issued detailed guidelines to guide the states and union territories for the effective implementation of the scheme. Following this, the Delhi Government decided to implement it. She explained that this scheme is in accordance with the Good Samaritan Rules notified under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. These rules provide legal protection to citizens who voluntarily assist an injured, helpless, or distressed person.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that the aim of this scheme is not only to save the lives of accident victims but also to promote human sensitivity in society. Under the scheme, any person who provides immediate assistance to a person injured in a serious road accident and transports them to a hospital or trauma center within the golden hour will be eligible for a reward. In each such case, the "Raah-Veer" will receive a cash award of ₹25,000. Even if a person saves the lives of more than one victim in a single accident, the maximum amount awarded will be ₹25,000. Under this scheme, the 10 best "Raah-Veer" selected throughout the year will also receive a special national-level award of ₹1 lakh each. Each award will be accompanied by a citation.
To ensure effective implementation of the scheme, an evaluation committee will be formed at the district level. This committee will include the District Magistrate, Senior Police Officer, Chief Medical Officer, and Regional Transport Officer. The Chief Minister stated that the award money will be transferred online directly to the bank accounts of the selected "Rah-Veer" (road heroes). A separate bank account will be maintained for this purpose, and the entire process will be recorded on a digital platform. The Ministry will also provide initial grants to the states.
The Chief Minister stated that implementing this humanitarian-oriented scheme will foster a culture of prompt assistance during road accidents in the capital. People often refrain from helping due to fear of legal complications or police action. This scheme will remove this fear and encourage citizens to come forward. According to the Chief Minister, the "Rah-Veer" scheme is not only an incentive, but also an important step towards strengthening human values and strengthening the road safety system. If implemented with seriousness and transparency in Delhi, it could help save many families from untimely grief.