Nitin Gadkari Announces Cashless Treatment for Road Accident Victims

Desk Report, August 02, 2024: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has launched a pilot scheme in Chandigarh and Assam to provide cashless treatment for road accident victims. This initiative aims to support victims involved in motor vehicle accidents on any category of road. The scheme is being implemented in collaboration with the National Health Authority (NHA).

Under this scheme, eligible victims receive trauma and polytrauma care through Health Benefit Packages. These services are provided at empaneled hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). The maximum coverage is Rs. 1.5 lakh, available for up to seven days from the date of the accident.

The initiative is administered under the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, created under Section 164B of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Central Motor Vehicles (Motor Vehicle Accident Fund) Rules, 2022, outline the sources of income and how funds are utilized.

The NHA, part of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, coordinates with local police, empaneled hospitals, State Health Agencies, the National Informatics Centre, and the General Insurance Council to execute the program. This scheme offers support irrespective of where the road accident occurs, adhering to the mandate of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, shared this information in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his appreciation for the initiative on his social media handle, stating, “Road accidents destroy lives and families. Assam is working on a whole-of-government approach to bring down the 45% surge in road accidents in the state. My gratitude to Hon’ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari ji for including our state in this pilot, which will complement our efforts.”

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