Will notify in a week cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims: Centre to SC
The Central Government under Section 162(2) of the Act is required to frame a scheme to provide cashless treatment to motor accident victims during the 'golden hour'. Section 2(12-A) of the Act defines 'golden hour' as the period of one hour following a traumatic injury when prompt treatment has the highest likelihood of preventing death.
The scheme is yet to be implemented though Section 162 came into force on April 1, 2022. On January 8 this year, the SC had asked the Centre to frame the scheme by March 14.
Hearing it on April 9, the SC noted that the scheme was yet to be framed and asked the Secretary, MoRTH, to appear before it through videoconferencing.
On Monday, the bench told the Secretary that he was in contempt of court and wondered why he had not even filed an application seeking extension of time.'You are in contempt. You have not bothered to seek extension of time. What is this going on? You tell us when will you frame the scheme? You don't care for your own statutes. This is one of the welfare provisions. Three years (since) this provision has come into place. Are you really working for the welfare of common man?' asked Justice Oka.
The Secretary said that a draft had been prepared but the government faced a roadblock due to issues raised by the General Insurance Council (GIC).
'The GIC has not been cooperative,' he said, adding that it has contended that it should be permitted to check the status of insurance policy of the motor vehicle involved in an accident.
Justice Oka asked, 'Can you be so casual? Are you not serious about this provision?'
The bench pointed out that another agency could be appointed if GIC is not cooperating. The Secretary agreed to do this.
Senior Advocate Gaurav Agarwal, who is amicus curiae in the matter, said the issue could be sorted out by authorising the State Health Agency (SHA) to release payments directly to hospitals.
In its order, the SC also recorded that the 'Secretary states that the government tenders an apology for non-compliance with the direction' to frame the scheme and notify it.
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