From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Nov 9: In a bid to ensure speedy medical aid for accident victims and encourage people to offer first aid to such victims without the fear of any legal wrangles, the Siddaramaiah Cabinet on Wednesday decided to bring the Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation during emergency situations) Bill.
The Bill was as part of an effort to encourage people to offer assistance without the fear of any criminal or civil liability.
In the absence of national legislation on the subject, in October 2014 the Supreme Court directed the Union government to frame guidelines for the protection of ‘Good Samaritans’, or helpful bystanders, and a Standard Operating Procedure to make them work.
Karnataka’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister T B Jayachandra, while briefing the media on the Cabinet decisions, said the bill would have provision for reimbursing the expenses incurred by the Good Samaritan in the process rendering help for the accident victim, including the cab fare for carrying the victim to hospital.
A sum of Rs 5 crore has been set aside for the purpose, he said.
The provisions would also ensure that the Good Samaritans are not repeatedly summoned to attend court proceedings and other legal obligations related to the accident, Jayachandra said.
Rs 1,500 compensation :
According to officials, hospitals will be required to immediately compensate the Good Samaritan with Rs 1,500 in cash. On admitting the victim to the nearest hospital, they will not be required to furnish his/her personal information (name, telephone number and address), even while filing the medico legal form. Once the victim is admitted, the Good Samaritan can leave immediately, as they will not be subjected to police examination.
Rights of the Good Samaritans will have to be mandatorily displayed at the hospitals in prominent places in Kannada, Hindi and English.
A committee will select a few Good Samaritans, who will be felicitated at the district-level during Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations.