Geneva-based International Road Federation (IRF) has asked the Union government to extend tax benefits to companies and individuals who contribute and spend on road safety projects, in the forthcoming Budget.
“A company shall be allowed to deduct from his income of an amount equal to the expenditure incurred for the purpose of road safety measures under schemes approved by the Central government, the National Highways Authority of India and highways departments of the state governments. Such a measure will go a long way in mitigating road accidents in the country,” said a release quoting K K Kapila, chairman, IRF.
The release said Kapila, in a letter to finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, pointed out that road accidents were a major public health challenge in India. “India’s fatality rate, per 10,000 vehicles, is 15 to 20 times higher than those of developed countries,” the release quoted him.
According to the World Health Organisation, road traffic accidents will become the fifth leading cause of deaths by 2030. In recognition of the gravity of the problem, the UN General Assembly has, through a resolution, proclaimed 2011-2020 as the Decade of Action for Road Safety, with a global goal of stabilising and then reducing the forecast level of road fatalities.
The release also said addressing road safety in a comprehensive manner necessitates the involvement of multiple sectors such as health, education, transport and police.
“While the government is engaged in drawing up the comprehensive plan of action, we have to think of various measures to attract industries and individuals in partnering and contributing towards promoting road safety. The scale of the task, both physically and financially, requires a significant contribution of the private sector along with the government,” Kapila said.