RTO urges people to make

Hoshiarpur / Daljeet Ajnoha/July 24 : Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Amandeep Kaur Ghuman has appealed to the public to make full use of the central government’s PM-Rahat scheme, describing it as highly beneficial for saving the lives of those injured in road accidents. She urged citizens to promptly assist accident victims and, without fear or hesitation, take them to the nearest listed hospital.
Under the scheme, each road-accident victim is entitled to cashless treatment of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for a maximum period of seven days from the date of the accident. The RTO emphasised that the initial 24 to 48 hours after an accident — the “golden hour” — are critical for saving lives, and instructed hospitals to ensure immediate treatment for victims.
She said every Indian and foreign national involved in a road-vehicle accident on Indian roads is eligible to benefit from the scheme; vehicle insurance is not a prerequisite. In the event of an accident, the ambulance and nearest listed hospital can be contacted immediately through the 112 helpline. The scheme is administered via the e-DAR and the National Health Authority’s TMS 2.0 portal, and treatment costs are borne from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. In hit-and-run cases, the government covers these expenses.
RTO Amandeep Kaur Ghuman also outlined the “Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan)” scheme: a person who helps deliver an injured victim to hospital within 60 minutes of the accident is eligible for a cash reward of Rs 25,000 and a certificate of appreciation. An individual may receive the award up to five times a year. If multiple people assist, the reward is divided equally among them. Additionally, outstanding Good Samaritans are honoured annually at the national level with Rs 1 lakh and a trophy.
She clarified that no Good Samaritan can be subjected to unnecessary questioning, pressure to register an FIR, or coerced into becoming a witness by police or hospital authorities. Once the victim is admitted, the helper may leave immediately. After confirmation by local police and treating doctors, and on recommendation of the district evaluation committee, the award amount is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through PFMS.
The RTO appealed to district residents to follow road safety rules and to show humanity by helping accident victims, noting that timely assistance can save lives.