Treat accident victims immediately, no advance payment required: Karnataka govt to hospitals
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has reaffirmed the legal obligation of all medical establishments and practitioners to provide emergency treatment to accident victims without any delay or demand for advance payment.
A circular issued on Wednesday stated, “It is considered necessary to reiterate and direct the enforcing agencies and accident victims regarding the provisions of law and schemes prevailing in Karnataka regarding the treatment of accident victims in the state.”
Under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007, the circular clarified that the term 'accident victim' includes not just road mishaps but also “accidental or induced burns or poisoning or criminal assaults and the like which are medico legal or potential medico legal cases."
It further said, “Whenever such an accident victim comes to a medical establishment or is brought before a medical establishment, he should be treated in such emergencies without insisting on advance payment.”
Any violation will invite penalties up to Rs one lakh under Section 19(5), the circular said.
Citing the Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional Act, 2016, the government reminded that every hospital shall be required to provide immediate medical screening services and first-aid at free of cost and the appropriate treatment as it considers necessary, in order to improve the health conditions and recovery of any such injured person.
Hospitals lacking facilities must stabilise the patient before transfer, along with complete medical records, it said.
The circular also invoked Section 187 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, cautioning that failure to comply could lead to imprisonment up to three months or fines up to Rs 500, and for repeat offences, imprisonment up to six months or fines up to Rs 1,000.
Referring to the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025, it noted, “A road accident victim shall be eligible for cashless treatment in any designated hospital for an amount up to rupees one lakh fifty thousand per victim for period of seven days from the date of accident.”
The state road safety council will serve as the nodal agency, with reimbursement routed from the Motor Vehicles Accident Fund.
The circular reminded that Karnataka already has a state-level scheme for cashless treatment for accident victims up to 48 hours, covering 76 lifesaving services in government hospitals, medical colleges, and SAST-empanelled hospitals.
“Every registered medical practitioner and every medical establishment shall provide first aid and stabilize the accident victim without any delay or deny, failing which he shall be liable for punishment as specified above. Every authority responsible for implementing the above provisions shall take immediate steps to facilitate the accident victim to procure these healthcare facilities,” the circular said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
ALSO READ: Chinese GPS tracker found on seagull near Karwar Coast
"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
