The Good Samaritan Bill will put an end to harassment by any official machinery, including police, to people who help accident victims, Karnataka Urban Development and Housing Minister U T Khader Monday said.
"I was disturbed that the victims were not helped by those people passing on the road.
Even the rescuers also faced problems in hospitals where the victim could not pay and the hospitals demanded them to pay up.
They also face police harassment. These problems will now come to an end," he told reporters on the sidelines of 'International Day for Elderly People' organised by the Delhi-based Eldercare organisation here.
The law aims to give protection to rescuers and ensure immediate medical assistance for road accident victims, besides encourage people to offer first aid to victims without fear of legal hassles.
Khader said he was happy after President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent to the Good Samaritan and Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation during emergency situation) Bill, 2016, proposed by Karnataka government in 2016.
He also said the idea of the bill germinated through his own experiences where he found passers-by not coming to the rescue of the accident victims due to fear of police harassment and other reasons.
Speaking on the occasion of International Day For Elderly People by Eldercare organisation, Khader said this day should mark change in the mindset of youth who are distancing themselves from elders due to their work pressure and modern-day lifestyle.
The organisation is supported by retired personnel of Indian Armed Forces.
"Families becoming smaller in urban areas has put elders in difficult situation and sending them to elders homes should be curbed. These veterans expect little money from their young ones but more of love, affection and care," he said.
He said institutions like Eldercare are facilitators in society to give strength to elders but all sections of society should join the campaign for their own good.
Eldercare Chairman Vishwas Tripathi said elders would remain the guiding force for the family and society and their rich knowledge and love comes for free for younger ones in the family.
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