The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Central Government to implement the cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims across the country in its true letter and spirit, ensuring that victims receive immediate medical care without financial burden.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, along with Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, expressed concern over the lack of comprehensive implementation, despite previous approvals and circulars issued by the government.
Lack of Uniform
The Court observed that although the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had announced the scheme, its on-ground execution remained inconsistent and poorly coordinated between hospitals, insurance firms, and state authorities.
“There needs to be a clear framework for seamless treatment without procedural delays. Victims and families should not be made to run pillar to post during emergencies,” the Bench stated.
Centre Asked
The Supreme Court directed the Centre to file a detailed affidavit explaining the current status of the scheme’s rollout, including nodal agencies, empaneled hospitals, claim settlement timelines, and steps taken to spread public awareness about the availability of cashless services after road accidents.
The Bench further questioned whether insurance companies and hospitals had been properly instructed regarding their obligations under the scheme, and whether there were mechanisms to monitor compliance and handle grievances.
Case Background
The directions came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought proper implementation of schemes aimed at saving lives in road accident cases. India continues to report one of the highest road accident fatalities globally, making prompt medical care a critical policy concern.
The cashless scheme, approved by the Centre in 2022, is intended to provide immediate financial coverage for trauma care, irrespective of the victim’s insurance status.
Next Hearing
The court posted the matter for next hearing after four weeks, directing the government to ensure inter-ministerial coordination and establish a transparent, accessible mechanism to ensure that no road accident victim is denied urgent treatment due to inability to pay.
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