Govt increases compensation for death in hit-&-run cases from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2,00,000

New Delhi: The compensation to the kin of hit-and-run victims will be increased sharply by eight-fold to Rs 2 lakh in case of death from April 1, according to a notification by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry.

The solatium to a person sustaining grievous injuries in a hit-and-run case will increase to Rs 50,000 from the current Rs 12,500. The ministry in the notification issued on February 25 said that the scheme may be called the 'Compensation to Victims of Hit and Run Motor Accidents Scheme', 2022 and it shall come into force with effect from April 1, 2022.

A release by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Sunday stated that it has notified the scheme for compensation of victims of Hit & Run motor accidents vide notification dated 25th February 2022 to cater to enhanced compensation (from Rs 12,500 to Rs 50,000 for grievous hurt and from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2,00,000 for death).

"This scheme will supersede the earlier Solatium Scheme, 1989 from April 1, 2022, onwards," the Road Transport and Highways Ministry said in a release.

The process of applying for compensation and the release of payment to victims has also been made time-bound, the release stated. The ministry has also published rules on February 25 regarding creation, operation, sources of fund etc of the Motor Vehicles Accident Fund.

"This fund shall be used for providing compensation in case of Hit &Run Accident, treatment for accident victims and any other purpose, as may be specified by the Central Government," the release stated.

Under the scheme, the ministry has come up with the procedure for detailed investigations of road accidents, Detailed Accident Report (DAR) and its reporting along with timelines for different stakeholders for quick settlements of claims.

Last year, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told Rajya Sabha that 536 persons were killed and 1,655 persons were injured in accidents categorised as 'hit and run' in the national capital in 2019.

According to the latest government data, a total of 3,66,138 road accidents occurred in India during 2020, causing 1,31,714 deaths. 

 Live TV