Dehradun: Uttarakhand government is set to ensure uniformity in the benefits of accident claims and financial security given to the passengers travelling in the government and private buses. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the officials concerned to prepare a draft proposal within ten days in this regard.
Currently, the state government provides financial assistance of rupees five lakhs from the chief minister’s discretionary fund and road safety fund to the relatives of the persons who died while travelling in the buses of Uttarakhand transport corporations. Besides this, a compensation amount of rupees five is given by the Corporation. On the other hand, in case of road accidents involving private buses, the relatives of the deceased get a financial assistance of rupees five lakh only from the road accident relief fund and chief minister’s discretionary fund.
Extend the benefits of the relief funds to the passengers travelling in private buses
The state government wants to extend the benefits of this scheme to the passengers of private bus operators. CM Dhami has directed the officials concerned to place the proposed road safety rules before the state cabinet at the earliest possible. He has also asked the officials of the transport department to intensify enforcement on the roads, improve the fitness of buses, driving tests of the drivers, and their health examination. He further told the officials to accelerate the process of installing crash barriers.
Disparity in the distribution of relief funds
Chief minister Dhami, who held a meeting with the officials of the transport department on Wednesday, took cognizance of the disparity in the distribution of relief funds. He told the officials that there should not be inequality in the distribution of relief funds. He directed them to make required amendments in the accident relief fund rules as soon as possible. He told the officials that the pain of loss of life in a road accident is unbearable for every family. He further said that the state government is committed to road safety and the safety of passengers is of utmost priority.
