• The Ministry of Roadway Transport and Highways launched a pilot programme to provide cashless treatment to victims of road accidents caused by motor vehicles.

• This programme aims to create an ecosystem for the timely treatment of victims and reduce fatalities caused by road accidents

• The pilot programme is being initiated in Chandigarh and the National Health Authority will be the implementing agency.

• The features of this programme are as follows:

1.  Victims are entitled to cashless treatment up to a maximum of Rs. 1.5 lakhs per accident per person for a maximum period of 7 days from the date of the accident.

2.  Applicable to all road accidents caused by the use of motor vehicles on any category of road.

3.  AB PM-JAY packages for trauma and polytrauma cases will be co-opted.

4.  The claims raised by hospitals for providing treatment will be reimbursed from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.

• Based on the outcomes of this programme, further expansion across the country will be planned.