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Supreme Court Sets May 9 Deadline for Cashless Medical Care Scheme for Accident Victims

The court rebuked the Centre for delays in implementing the golden hour treatment mandate, emphasizing its critical role in saving lives and upholding constitutional rights.

The court has directed that the government come up with a second scheme to provide interim relief to road accident victims (ANI)
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Overview

  • The Supreme Court of India directed the government to formally notify the cashless medical care scheme for motor accident victims by May 9, 2025, and scheduled the next hearing for May 13.
  • The court criticized the Centre for failing to comply with its January 8 order to implement the scheme under Section 164A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which has been in effect since April 2022.
  • The golden hour, defined as the critical one-hour window after a traumatic injury, is central to the scheme aimed at providing immediate, life-saving medical care without financial barriers.
  • Delays in the scheme's rollout were attributed to objections from the General Insurance Council, which sought to verify the insurance status of vehicles involved in accidents before providing relief.
  • The court highlighted over 900 pending hit-and-run compensation claims and procedural hurdles, urging the government and insurance bodies to streamline processes and prioritize victims' welfare.