Good Samaritan Scheme

Salient Features of the Good Samaritan Scheme (India)

The Good Samaritan Scheme encourages ordinary citizens to help road accident victims by providing immediate assistance and protecting those who help from unnecessary legal harassment.

Key features

1. Protection of Good Samaritans: A person who voluntarily helps an injured road accident victim is protected against harassment and unnecessary inconvenience by police or other authorities.
2. No compulsory legal liability: A Good Samaritan cannot be forced to become a witness or participate in legal proceedings merely because they helped a victim, subject to applicable legal provisions.
3. Right to leave after helping: A person who brings an injured victim to a hospital is generally not required to disclose personal details or remain at the hospital unnecessarily.
4. No mandatory payment: A Good Samaritan is not required to pay hospital admission charges or treatment expenses simply for bringing an accident victim to the hospital.
5. Recognition and rewards: Eligible Good Samaritans may receive financial rewards and recognition for saving lives under the applicable government scheme.
6. Golden Hour assistance: The scheme emphasizes providing medical assistance within the Golden Hour—the first hour after a traumatic injury, when prompt treatment can be crucial.
7. Financial reward: Under the revised Rah-Veer Scheme (2025), an eligible person can receive ₹25,000 per qualifying incident, along with a Certificate of Appreciation.
8. Multiple rescues: Recognition is available for up to five qualifying acts in a year under the revised scheme.
9. Legal basis: Good Samaritan protections are provided under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as amended, and the Good Samaritan Rules, 2020.
10. Implementing authority: The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India, with awards processed through the prescribed district-level mechanism.

 

Objective: To encourage the public to help road accident victims without fear of legal harassment, thereby reducing preventable deaths and promoting road safety.

Note: The Good Samaritan protection rules and the Rah-Veer financial reward scheme are related but distinct. The ₹25,000 reward applies to eligible cases under the revised scheme; it is not automatically payable for every instance of assistance

 Contact Details
Designation: Joint Director of Health Services
Mobile No: 7358151806
Office Address: Office of the Joint Director of Health Services, Chengalpattu District

 

Beneficiary:

injured road accident

Benefits:

Public to help road accident victims