Supreme Court pulls up Centre for missing deadline on establishing cashless medical treatment scheme for motor accident victims

The Supreme Court sharply criticised the Centre on Wednesday for delaying the implementation of a cashless treatment scheme for motor accident victims. Citing a breach of its January 8 order, the court summoned the transport ministry secretary to explain the delay. The court emphasised that financial hold-ups cost lives, and warned of contempt proceedings. The scheme, mandated under the Motor Vehicles Act, was to ensure critical care during the ‘golden hour’ post-accidents.