Context :

• The Prime Minister, in his first decision immediately after shifting to Seva Teerth, approved the launch of the PM RAHAT (Cashless Treatment for Road Accident Victims) scheme.

Key Points :

• Full name of scheme: Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment
• Primary Objective: To provide immediate and free medical assistance to road accident victims during the first 60 minutes, i.e., the “Golden Hour,” in order to reduce mortality.
• Nodal Ministry: It is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). For implementation, the National Health Authority (NHA) is the main nodal agency.
• Cashless Treatment: Under this, each victim receives cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh. This facility is valid for up to 7 days from the date of the accident.
• Eligibility: The scheme applies to all victims of road accidents occurring on any road in India (national highways, state roads, or city streets), including both Indian citizens and foreign nationals.
• Technical Integration: The scheme integrates MoRTH’s eDAR (Electronic Detailed Accident Report) platform with NHA’s Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0). It is also integrated with the 112 Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) helpline.
• Funding: Payments to hospitals are made through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF).
• Legal Backing: The scheme is legally supported under Section 162 of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.
• Policy Goal: It forms part of India’s ‘4E’ target (Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Emergency Care) to reduce road accident deaths by 50% by 2030.
• Police Authentication: In life-threatening cases, police verification is mandatory within 48 hours, and within 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases.

Challenges of PM RAHAT Scheme :

Infrastructure Gaps: Lack of well-equipped trauma centers in rural areas and remote highways limits effectiveness.

• 7-Day Limit: In many serious cases, the 7-day duration and ₹1.5 lakh cap may be insufficient, creating financial burden later.
• Administrative Complexity: Police authentication is mandatory for hospital payments; delays may discourage hospitals from providing cashless treatment.
• Lack of Awareness: The public, ambulance services, and police often lack information about empanelled hospitals.
• Fund Sustainability: Ensuring continuous availability of funds in MVAF through insurance contributions and budgetary support remains a challenge.

PM RAHAT Scheme vs PM CARES Fund (Key Differences):