Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged people to come forward and assist road accident victims, stressing that timely intervention during the critical “Golden Hour” can help save lives.
In a social media post, Sarma appealed to people not to hesitate when they encounter an accident victim. He said immediate assistance can not only save a life but also help protect the future of the victim’s family.
The Chief Minister highlighted the Rah-Veer Scheme, under which people who provide qualifying assistance to road accident victims are offered financial recognition and protection from certain legal difficulties. “You extend the helping hand. We will take care of the rest,” Sarma said in his message.
The scheme, administered by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), was revised and renamed Rah-Veer in April 2025. Under the revised guidelines, the financial reward for an eligible Good Samaritan was increased from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 per incident, along with a Certificate of Appreciation.
The scheme covers individuals who voluntarily provide immediate assistance to road accident victims and help take them to a hospital or trauma-care centre within the Golden Hour. The government defines the Golden Hour as the critical first hour following a serious injury, when prompt medical treatment can be particularly important.
According to the official Rah-Veer guidelines, an individual can receive the recognition for qualifying acts of assistance up to five times in a year. If several people assist the same accident victim, the prescribed reward is shared equally among them.
The scheme also provides protections intended to prevent Good Samaritans from being discouraged by legal procedures. Official guidance states that a person assisting an accident victim in good faith cannot be subjected to unnecessary legal complications, while provisions also protect the person’s privacy and dignity.
The awareness message shared by Sarma also highlights the financial incentive of ₹25,000, recognition for repeated assistance and the protection available to Good Samaritans. The appeal comes as authorities continue to promote faster emergency assistance for road accident victims.
The Union government’s road-safety framework has also expanded emergency support for accident victims. In 2026, the government launched the PM RAHAT scheme, under which eligible road accident victims can receive cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh for a period of up to seven days, with the emergency response system linked to the 112 helpline.
Through his latest appeal, Sarma has encouraged people in Assam to act rather than remain bystanders when they encounter a road accident, particularly during the crucial period immediately after an injury.
