Agartala, Feb 27: The Tripura government on Friday announced the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Road Accident Treatment Scheme (PM-RAHT) to ensure immediate and cashless medical care for road accident victims without financial constraints.
Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat, Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said the scheme will be implemented under the aegis of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Under PM-RAHT, accident victims will be eligible for cashless treatment for up to seven days, with financial assistance capped at Rs 1.5 lakh per patient. Any expenses beyond the prescribed limit will have to be borne by the patient’s family.
“The objective is to ensure that no injured person is denied or delayed treatment due to lack of funds,” Chowdhury said, adding that the Transport, Home, and Health and Family Welfare departments will jointly coordinate the scheme’s implementation in the state.
The minister informed that a virtual review meeting on the scheme was recently held under the leadership of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.
A total of 141 hospitals, including seven private facilities, have been empanelled within and outside the state to provide treatment under the scheme. Hospitals have been directed not to delay admission or initiation of treatment on administrative grounds when accident victims are brought in.
Chowdhury also highlighted the existing “Rah-Veer” scheme, which provides Rs 25,000 to individuals who transport accident victims to hospital within the critical “golden hour.” So far, nine individuals in Tripura and one DSP at the national level have been recognised under the initiative.
He expressed hope that PM-RAHT will significantly reduce road accident fatalities and ease the financial burden on affected families.
