IANS | 23 Sep, 2023
The Union Ministry of Railways has increased 10-fold the amount of
ex-gratia relief payable to dependants in the case of death or injuries
to passengers in train accidents.
Under the Section 124 of
Railways Act, in case of death due to a train accident earlier Rs 50,000
was liable to be paid by the railway administration.
The Railway
Ministry said on Friday that this amount has been raised to Rs 5 lakh,
for train accidents and accidents at manned level crossings.
In
case of grievous injury, this amount has been revised from Rs 25,000
upwards to Rs 2.5 lakh and in case of simple injury from Rs 5,000 to Rs
50,000.
Additionally, in case of an untoward incident, Rs 1.5 lakh
will be paid in case of death which was earlier Rs 15,000. Amount for
grievous injury has been revised to Rs 50,000 from Rs 5,000 for grievous
injury and compensation for a simple injury has been revised from Rs
500 to Rs 5,000.
However, no compensation will be given in case a
passenger dies from suicide or attempted suicide, self-inflicted injury,
his own criminal act or any act committed in a state of intoxication or
insanity, or a natural cause, disease or medical/surgical treatment.
An
additional ex-gratia relief in case of hospitalisation of grievously
injured passengers beyond 30 days, due to a train accident Rs 3,000 per
day to be released at the end of every 10-day period or date of
discharge whichever is earlier. This was earlier Rs 300 per day.
In
case of untoward incident, Rs 1,500 per day to be released at the end
of every ten day period or date of discharge, whichever is earlier up to
further six months of hospitalisation. This was earlier Rs 1,000 per
week for six months and Rs 500 per week for further five months.
The maximum period for which ex-gratia is payable to the grievously injured passenger will be 12 months.
A
maximum amount of up to Rs 50,000 is to be paid in cash as an immediate
relief for taking care of initial expenses, remaining amount to be paid
by cheque, or online banking.
The period of treatment as an
indoor patient for more than 30 days would need to be certified by a
railway doctor for the purpose of further ex-gratia payment for the
remaining 11 months.
Ex-gratia payments will also be made to railway employees killed or injured by a moving train while performing their duty.
However,
“no ex-gratia relief would be admissible to road users in case of
accident at unmanned level crossing, trespassers or persons electrocuted
by Overhead Equipment,” the railway board has stated.
