(FILE PHOTO)
Sunil Kumar
Leh :- In a significant step towards improving road safety and emergency response, the Ladakh Administration has launched the “Award for Good Samaritans” scheme.
Announced by the Office of the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) in Kargil, this initiative is aimed at encouraging the public to assist road accident victims, with the goal of saving lives by ensuring they receive timely medical care.
Under this new scheme, any individual who provides immediate assistance to a road accident victim and ensures they are taken to a hospital within the crucial “Golden Hour”—the first hour after an accident—will be eligible for a reward of ₹5,000 per incident. In addition to the cash reward, Good Samaritans will receive a certificate of appreciation for their efforts.
The scheme also includes a provision for recognizing outstanding contributions on a national level. Each year, ten individuals from across the country will be selected for the National Level Award, which carries a prize of ₹1,00,000 each.
To ensure proper acknowledgment, the scheme outlines a clear procedure. Under this, if a Good Samaritan contacts the police, they will issue an acknowledgment letter detailing the incident.
And, If the victim is taken directly to a hospital, the medical institution will inform the police, who will then issue the necessary acknowledgement.
The acknowledgment letters will be reviewed by a District Level Appraisal Committee, chaired by the District Magistrate, which will select the awardees.
The scheme has set a limit of five awards per individual per year. It also provides a detailed definition of what constitutes a “Fatal Accident,” which includes incidents leading to major surgery, hospitalization, brain injuries, or spinal cord injuries.
The “Good Samaritan” award is expected to play a pivotal role in saving lives on Ladakh’s roads by promoting prompt and compassionate responses during accidents. The initiative is a part of the broader efforts by the Ladakh Administration to enhance public safety and encourage community involvement in emergency situations.
