Odisha: Cops can endorse good samaritans for cash rewards

Cuttack: Police officers can now endorse and give recommendation letters to the saviours of road accidents victims for cash reward under Good Samaritan policy. Earlier, only doctors were authorised to issue such letters.

Good Samaritan Policy-2018 was introduced in Odisha to recognise and encourage people to save and assist the accident victims during the first hour of road accident, which has been termed as ‘Golden Hour’. Road accident deaths can be reduced by 50 per cent if the victim gets assistance within the Golden Hour.

As per the rules, doctors not below the rank of assistant surgeon who receive the accident patients were authorised to recommend names of good samaritans to the respective RTOs for reward.

However, it was observed that in most of the cases, doctors were not able to recommend names of good samaritans due to their busy schedule. Taking the issue into consideration, the State Transport Authority (STA) proposed the Odisha government that other than the treating doctors, police officials enquiring into the accident cases may be authorised to recommend the names of the good samaritans to the RTOs so that more number of deserving people can be rewarded for their noble deeds.

The state government has approved the proposal and amended the Clause 21 of Good Samaritan Policy-2018. Now, doctors not below the rank of assistant surgeon or police officials (IIC/IO/EO) of the concerned police station enquiring into the accident cases can recommend names of good samaritans to the respective RTOs for reward, said a release of the STA.

As per the policy, the good samaritans shall be suitably rewarded or compensated to encourage other citizens to come forward and help the road accident victims by admitting them in hospitals. The state government provides Rs 2,000 as cash reward to good samaritans for saving the lives of people who sustain injuries in road mishaps.