Current and future drivers of compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled public transportation vehicles in New Delhi now have the protection of a personal accident insurance scheme launched by M. Veerappa Moily, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas in the Indian Government, and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, reports India’s Business Standard . Drivers, of which there are about 300,000, are not required to pay registration fees or premiums.
“Under the scheme, the nominee of a policy will receive Rs.1.5 lakh in case of death of a driver in an accident while driving the vehicle,” said Minister M. Veerappa Moily.
Protection to the amount of Rs.25,000 (USD 410) to each child of the deceased – subject to a maximum of Rs.50,000 (USD 820) for two children – would be released as education allowance. Additionally, there is provision for relief in case of accident, partial disability and permanent disability.
Natural gas distribution company Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) will oversee the implementation of the scheme and make an annual payment of Rs.35 lakh (approx. USD 57k) to New Delhi-based Oriental Insurance Company Ltd for the purpose. The project is referred to as the IGL Suraksha Yojana.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit also announced a corpus fund of Rs.1 crore (USD 163k) for the welfare of drivers of CNG commercial vehicles.
The project is similar to the Maha Suraksha Yojana, a personal accident insurance cover for all taxi and autorickshaw drivers using CNG vehicles in Mumbai in May 2006, fully paid for by Mahanagar Gas Limited.
