Odisha to Launch ‘Rah-Veer’ Scheme to Reward Good Samaritans

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is set to launch a new initiative, titled ‘Rah-Veer’, to recognise and reward Good Samaritans who help road accident victims during the critical golden hour. Under this scheme, the reward amount will be significantly increased from the existing ₹2,000 to ₹25,000, according to official sources.

The initiative aligns with directives from the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, which has urged states to take stronger measures to reduce fatalities caused by road accidents.

As part of its implementation strategy, the state has formed District Road Safety Committees (DRSCs) in all districts. Going beyond the Centre’s general guidelines, Odisha will set up dedicated sub-committees under each DRSC to identify and select ‘Rah-Veers’. Each sub-committee will be headed by the district collector and will include the superintendent of police (SP), chief district medical officer (CDMO), and regional transport officer (RTO). The RTO will act as the member-convener of the committee.

Transport Department Principal Secretary Usha Padhee has instructed all district collectors to form these appraisal sub-committees immediately. The panels will meet monthly to evaluate nominations based on reports from police stations and hospitals, recognising individuals who took swift and selfless action during road emergencies.

The names of the selected ‘Rah-Veers’ will be uploaded to the government’s e-DAR (e-Detailed Accident Report) portal, and monetary rewards will be credited to their bank accounts within seven days of selection.

To ensure widespread public participation, district collectors have also been directed to initiate awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of timely help during accidents and encouraging citizens to step forward in emergencies.