Khunti DLSA holds MACT workshop to ensure timely accident compensation
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Khunti, September 19: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Khunti, organised a workshop on the Motor Accident Claims…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Khunti, September 19: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Khunti, organised a workshop on the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) on Saturday to strengthen coordination among police, judiciary, prosecution, legal aid authorities, district administration and insurance companies for ensuring timely compensation to road accident victims.
The workshop was organised at the Conference Hall of the DLSA, Khunti, in pursuance of the directions of the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (JHALSA), Ranchi, and under the guidance of the Principal District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, DLSA, Khunti.
Rakesh Kumar Mishra, Presiding Officer, MACT, Khunti, attended the workshop as the chief guest. Prachi Mishra, Additional District Judge-III; Vidyawati Kumari, Chief Judicial Magistrate; the Secretary, DLSA; Public Prosecutor; SDPOs; Mangal Singh Jamuda, SDPO; and members of the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System (LADCS) also participated.
Focus on timely accident reports and compensation
The workshop brought together officers-in-charge of police stations, police officers and personnel working in Khunti, DLSA officials and Para Legal Volunteers, members of the Prosecution Department and representatives of the District Administration.
Around nine insurance companies also participated virtually from Ranchi through video-conferencing and joined the deliberations on motor accident compensation.
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the chief guest and other dignitaries.
Police and prosecution roles discussed
In the first session, Ved Prakash, Public Prosecutor, explained the role of the prosecution and police in MACT-related cases.
Rajeev Kamal, Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC), highlighted the role of the DLSA in providing legal aid in motor accident compensation matters.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Vidyawati Kumari stressed the importance of proper, prompt and comprehensive investigation of road accident cases. She said delays at the investigation stage could affect victims’ access to timely compensation.
She also referred to delays occasionally encountered in submitting accident reports and said the Magistracy would coordinate with the Police Administration to ensure that the First Accident Report (FAR), Interim Accident Report (IAR) and Detailed Accident Report (DAR) are forwarded to the Claims Tribunal within the prescribed period.
Hit-and-run compensation scheme explained
Mangal Singh Jamuda, SDPO, explained the provisions of the Hit and Run Motor Accident Compensation Scheme, 2022, and stressed the need to create awareness among victims about their entitlement to compensation.
He said the police, in coordination with the DLSA, would work towards ensuring that eligible victims are aware of the compensation mechanism.
MACT procedure and role of stakeholders discussed
Prachi Mishra, Additional District Judge-III, Khunti, delivered a detailed presentation on the functioning of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal.
She explained issues relating to fatal and non-fatal accidents, eligibility of claimants, the role of legal representatives, the role of insurance companies and the procedure followed by the MACT.
Chief guest Rakesh Kumar Mishra, Presiding Officer, MACT, Khunti, distributed copies of the Supreme Court judgment in Gohar Mohammad v. U.P. State Road Transport Corporation, decided on December 15, 2022, among the participants.
He emphasised the importance of timely submission of the FAR, IAR and DAR and highlighted the role of investigating officers as facilitators for accident victims seeking compensation through the MACT or, in hit-and-run cases, through the district-level committee.
Mishra also stressed the role of insurance companies and the importance of mediation for amicable settlement of disputes. He underlined the need for proper investigation of accident cases, including inspection of accident sites.
Stakeholders agree on better coordination
Participants actively took part in the deliberations and expressed their commitment to improving coordination among the concerned agencies to facilitate timely justice and compensation for road accident victims.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks.
