The government has decided on a ten-fold increase in the minimum compensation payable to road accident victims or their kin in case of death, permanent disability or minor injury irrespective of their income and age criteria.
While revising this after a gap of 24 years, the transport ministry, however, has left the option for people to pursue their case in the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) if they believe they deserve higher compensation.
As per the new norms, to be notified soon, in case of a fatality in road accident the compensation will be Rs 5 lakh and for permanent disability it will be in the range of Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh based on the extent of disability.