New Delhi, October 4: The road ministry on Monday said it has launched a scheme for 'Good Samaritans' under which a cash award of Rs 5,000 will be given to those who save the life of a road accident victim by rushing him/her to hospital within the 'golden hour' of the mishap.

In a letter to principal and transport secretaries of all states and union territories, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) said the scheme would be effective from October 15, 2021 till March 31, 2026. Also Read | Bihar Shocker: Man Stabbed To Death Over Dispute Regarding Rs 8,000; Accused Arrested.

The ministry on Monday issued guidelines for the "scheme for grant of award to the Good Samaritan who has saved life of a victim of a fatal accident involving a motor vehicle by administering immediate assistance and rushing to hospital/trauma Care Centre within the Golden Hour of the accident to provide medical treatment." Also Read | Mansukh Mandaviya Launches i-Drone, ICMR's Drone-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Model.

To motivate the general public to help the road accident victims in an emergency situation, MoRTH said " the amount of award for each Good Samaritan would be Rs. 5,000 per incident."

"Every cash award would be accompanied with a certification of appreciation," it added. Besides award in each case, the ministry said there will be 10 national level awards for the most worthy Good Samaritans (to be selected from all those who have been awarded during the whole year) and they would be given an award of Rs 1,00,000 each.

According to the guidelines, if more than one Good Samaritan saves the life of more than one victim, the amount of award will be Rs 5,000 per victim saved, subject to maximum Rs 5,000 per Good Samaritan.

'Golden hour' refers to the 1-hour time period following a traumatic injury during which there is the highest likelihood of preventing death by providing prompt medical care. MoRTH said it will provide Rs 5 lakh as initial grant to the transport department of states and UTs for making payment to the Good Samaritans.

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