The government is finally implementing a Rs 3 lakh cash reward scheme, more than a year-and-half after the announcement was made
A plan to reward good Samaritans who help accident victims, which was announced back in July 2012 – will finally be implemented in the state this year. The state will spend Rs 3 lakh every year to reward people or organisations in cash, in recognition of the help they offer to accident victims.
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Individuals, groups, or organisations that help save lives of accident victims by rushing them to nearby hospitals will receive cash rewards. The reward amounts will be of Rs 1.5 lakh, Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 respectively. A written order implementing this award scheme was issued on February 25.
The cash will be drawn from taxes collected on race-course betting, which remains at the disposal of the state home minister. The onus of recommending names of individuals and groups will lie with the superintendent of highway, district superintendents of police, or chief of the city’s traffic branch, who have to forward proposals to the state government within a month of the accidents in their jurisdiction.
The state government will consider proposals received till December every year, and finalise names of winners before the month of March every year. A committee, headed by the additional chief secretary (home) and comprising the principal secretary (special), additional DG (traffic), and two joint secretaries from the home department will study the recommendations and reach a decision.
Many victims die from the lack of timely medical help, as witnesses turn a blind eye to road accidents and prefer not to stop and offer help to victims. The state in November last year decided to record statements of witnesses and those who come forward to help accident victims.