"Court Challenges Government's Casual Approach on Plans for Accident Victims"

New Delhi's Shocking Secret: Building highways like it's nobody's business, yet neglecting the lives of those who lose them in the heartbreaking chaos. The Supreme Court laid it all out in plain language on Monday, as they slammed the Union government for the delay in implementing a cashless medical treatment scheme for motor accident victims.

"What's the point of constructing these death traps if you don't have your act together for the victims?" the bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan fired back at the secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport.

On January 8, the top court had ordered the Centre to establish the long-overdue scheme for cashless medical treatment of motor accident victims within the golden hour window mandated by law. The golden hour, as defined by Section 2 (12-A) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, refers to that vital 60-minute window following a traumatic injury when timely medical intervention can significantly reduce the risk of death.

However, it seems the Centre has been dragging its feet, leaving potentially countless lives on the line. The bench made it crystal clear - prompt medical care during the critical period is essential, and delays, caused by financial constraints or bureaucratic red tape, often have deadly consequences.

In response to the government's inaction, the top court gave the Union a stern talking-to, saying, "You're not taking your own statutes seriously. This is a welfare provision for the people, and it's been in effect for over three years already. Are you truly working for the common man?"

The ministry's counsel tried to defend their position, explaining that they're making every effort to address the pressing issues inhibiting the smooth rollout and implementation of the cashless scheme.

"Well, you've got to start somewhere, and from there, you can only strive to improve," responded Justice Oka.

However, the secretary revealed a roadblock: the General Insurance Corporation (GIC) has been uncooperative, refusing to acknowledge the status of insurance policies for vehicles involved in accidents without checks.

The top court set a new deadline for the implementation of the golden hour scheme, ordering it to be brought into force within a week from Monday. They also directed the GIC to address the backlog of 921 hit-and-run compensation claims that remain pending due to document deficiencies.

In essence, our judicial guardians have had enough of the government's lethargy. The safety of our citizens on the road is not a laughing matter, and it's high time action was taken to save lives. After all, we're not building highways for the thrill of it; we're building them to connect lives, not sever them.

(With PTI inputs)

Enrichment Data:

Insight: As of May 9, 2023, the cashless medical treatment scheme for motor accident victims during the golden hour remains unimplemented. However, by April 28, 2025, the Ministry of Road Transport Secretary had assured the court that the scheme would be notified within one week.

Key legal basis: Section 162(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, mandates that medical treatment during the golden hour must be cashless, but the implementation remains pending.

Note: This enrichment data pertains to 2025 developments. Specific data for 2023 is not available in the provided sources.

Despite constructing highways with a disregard for the wellbeing of those who use them, the implementation of a cashless medical treatment scheme for motor accident victims during the golden hour remains delayed, as per the Supreme Court's observations on May 9, 2023.
The Supreme Court's concern over the delay stems from Section 162(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which mandates that medical treatment during the golden hour must be cashless, yet the implementation appears stalled.
The secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport reportedly assured the court in April 2025 that the long-pending cashless scheme would be notified within one week.
The General Insurance Corporation's lack of cooperation and the backlog of 921 hit-and-run compensation claims pending due to document deficiencies have posed challenges to the implementation of the cashless medical treatment scheme, according to reports from crime and justice general news.