Farishtey Dilli Ke Scheme: Road Accident Victims Treated Under Scheme Drop Sharply

The Farishtey Dilli Ke scheme, launched in 2018 to encourage people to rescue road accident victims and provide financial assistance for hospital bills, has seen a sharp decline in the number of beneficiaries due to financial issues. The Delhi government has approached the Supreme Court seeking immediate re-operationalisation of the scheme.

The Farishtey Dilli Ke scheme, a flagship project of the AAP government in Delhi, has encountered financial obstacles, leading to a significant decrease in the number of road accident victims receiving treatment under the program. Sources revealed this concerning development on Tuesday, raising concerns about the scheme's effectiveness.

Seeking Supreme Court Intervention

In response to the financial roadblock, the Arvind Kejriwal-led government has approached the Supreme Court, seeking immediate re-operationalization of the scheme. The government's plea includes clearing pending bills, ensuring timely payments to private hospitals, and initiating disciplinary action against officials responsible for deliberately orchestrating the de-operationalization of the scheme.

Scheme Overview and Impact

Launched in 2018, the Farishtey Dilli Ke scheme aims to encourage individuals to rescue road accident victims. Under this scheme, the government assumes responsibility for the hospital bills of those who have met with accidents within the city. The scheme has played a crucial role in providing financial assistance to accident victims and their families.

Decline in Beneficiaries

Sources have indicated that between September 2021 and September 2022, approximately 5,000 road accident victims received treatment under the scheme. However, following the cessation of payments, the number of individuals treated at private hospitals under the scheme dropped to around 3,000 between October 2022 and October 2023. This represents a concerning 40% decline in the number of beneficiaries.

Pending Payments and Government Action

Earlier, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj brought attention to the pending payment of Rs 7.17 crore to 42 private hospitals that had treated road accident victims since December 2022. In response, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on October 27, accusing officials of allegedly obstructing the scheme and urging him to ensure the payment of pending hospital bills.

Officials' Response

In contrast to the concerns raised, officials have asserted that the claim of a decline in the number of beneficiaries is inaccurate. They maintain that the calculation should be done on a year-wise basis. According to their records, 3,698 accident victims were treated under the scheme in 2022-23, while 3,604 beneficiaries were recorded till October 2023-24. Additionally, payments amounting to Rs 2.08 crore for 2,212 accident victims have been released this year, and further payments of Rs 1.46 crore for 1,392 victims are pending release upon receipt of funds from the finance department.

Delhi's Road Safety Concerns

The news of the challenges faced by the Farishtey Dilli Ke scheme comes at a time when Delhi grapples with concerning road safety issues. According to the latest report from the National Crime Records Bureau, Delhi recorded the highest number of road crash fatalities in the country in 2022, with 2,103 people losing their lives. The city also accounted for the highest number of road accidents in the country, with 5,387 incidents reported.

The decline in the number of road accident victims treated under the Farishtey Dilli Ke scheme due to financial constraints highlights the urgent need for effective measures to ensure the scheme's smooth functioning. The government's efforts to seek legal intervention and address the concerns raised by private hospitals are crucial steps towards ensuring that road accident victims continue to receive the necessary medical assistance and financial support.