New Delhi: A compensation of five lakh for death and Rs 2.5 lakh for suffering grievous injury in a motor vehicle accident case have been proposed by the Centre, as it was introduced in the Lok Sabha the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2019 on Monday, aiming to make it more stringent. The proposed legislation will amend the Motor Vehicles Act, which also has a provision for higher penalties for violations and protection of good samaritans, among other key characteristics.
Amid concerns raised by some members over certain provisions in the bill, road transport minister Nitin Gadkari said the government is not looking to take away the rights of states and urged the House to pass the legislation which would help in saving more lives.
The bill was passed in the previous Lok Sabha but could not get approval from the Rajya Sabha, and therefore it was brought again in the lower house.
The motor vehicle owner or the insurer would pay Rs 5 lakh compensation in case of death and Rs 2.5 lakh for grievous hurt, according to the bill.
The compensation in case of death due to hit and run currently is Rs 25,000. The Centre will also develop a scheme for cashless treatment of road accident victims during golden hour.
The bill defines golden hour as the time period of up to an hour following a traumatic injury, during which the likelihood of preventing death through prompt medical care is the highest.
The proposed legislation further seeks to increase penalties for violations, facilitate grant of online learning licence, simplified provisions for insurance to provide expeditious help to accident victims and their families, and protection of good samaritans.
Trinamool Congress member Saugata Roy opposed the bill, saying certain provisions would take away powers of state governments and would also infringe on their rights. Another party member Mahua Moitra also opposed some provisions of the bill.
Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said he was opposing a few provisions of the bill but not the bill in entirety.
The bill has had a long history, as the UPA government had attempted to amend the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 in 2007, but the then Motor Vehicles Amendments Bill 2007 could not be passed.
