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A free insurance scheme covering nearly 3 lakh drivers of public transport vehicles run on CNG in the national capital against death and permanent disability was launched today amidst much fanfare.
The group insurance scheme, launched by Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, will cover all drivers against death or permanent disability arising out of accidents caused while driving bus, taxis, auto rickshaws and RTVs that run on compressed natural gas.
Drawn on the lines of the 'Mahasuraksha Yojana' launched for taxi and auto drivers in Mumbai in May 2006, Indraprastha Gas Ltd will steer the implementation of the scheme in Delhi and NCR towns of Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad.
The IGL Suraksha Yojana will provide insurance cover to about three lakh drivers of CNG-run public transport vehicles registered in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida.
A sum of Rs 1.5 lakh will be paid to the nominee of the driver in case of death. An additional amount of Rs 25,000 per child will be paid towards education allowance, subject to a maximum of Rs 50,000.
Moily said IGL will pay Rs 35 lakh premium per annum on behalf of the drivers for implementing the scheme.
"We spend more time in processes and not delivering. Here is one state under dynamic Sheila Dikshit which delivers," he said.
Dikshit said the drivers would not have to pay any premium for the insurance cover and the scheme was aimed at helping 2.5 lakh drivers in Delhi to tied along over difficult period.
Also, a Rs 1 crore corpus for aiding the drivers has been operationalised.
IGL Chairman K K Gupta said the insurance scheme is free of cost for public transport vehicle drivers and the premium for the scheme will be paid by IGL.
In case of an accident requiring treatment for injury or fracture, a maximum of Rs 10,000 would be payable, he said, adding that in case of partial disability, graded compensation of Rs 1,500 to Rs 75,000 would be given.
The pre-condition for availing of the scheme is that the drivers of public transport vehicle must have valid licenses.
The social initiative is expected to benefit nearly three lakh drivers of CNG-run taxi and auto rickshaws within IGL's area of operations in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Greater Noida.
The policy will also cover drivers who convert their vehicles to CNG in the future. Currently, almost all taxis and auto rickshaws in Delhi have been converted to CNG.
Oriental Insurance has been roped in to offer the group personal accident insurance cover.
Auto driver Sunita Chaudhry was the first driver to receive insurance papers.
