Rs 2.3 crore paid to hit-and-run victims in NTR district

Vijayawada: In a significant step towards ensuring justice and financial relief to road accident victims, the NTR district police commissionerate has emerged as a frontrunner in implementing the hit-and-run compensation scheme in AP. Since the scheme's implementation on April 1, 2022, the commissionerate has registered 336 hit-and-run cases. Of these, 286 cases were forwarded through revenue authorities to the district magistrate and subsequently to General Insurance Corporation (GIC), Mumbai.So far, compensation amounting to Rs 2.27 crore has been disbursed to 281 victims in 270 cases, reflecting a high rate of claim settlement within a short period, according to the official data. With the efficient implementation of the scheme, the NTR district police commissionerate has not only secured the top position in AP but also has been ranked among the top three in the country.A hit-and-run case is registered when a driver responsible for an accident flees the scene without assisting the injured or informing the police. Acting on Supreme Court directives, the state govt has been extending financial assistance to victims through the GIC, Mumbai, in such cases where the accused remains unidentified.Under this scheme, Rs 2 lakh is provided to the legal heirs of deceased victims, while Rs 50,000 is given to those who sustain grievous injuries."A dedicated team has been constituted by the NTR district commissioner of police (CP) SV Rajasekhara Babu to expedite the processing of compensation claims. Police and revenue departments have been working in close coordination to streamline the process. Cases are registered immediately after accidents, and necessary documentation is collected and forwarded without delay. Special monitoring mechanisms have also been put in place to ensure timely disbursal," I Traffic (ACP) and nodal officer of the special team Ramachandra Rao said.The official stated that the scheme has brought considerable relief to affected families, helping them cope with financial distress. The official added that efforts are underway to clear pending cases at the earliest.