The Jharkhand government will pay an ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh to the families of those who die in road accidents.

This first of its kind decision was taken during a review meeting of the disaster management department on Tuesday that was presided over by chief minister Hemant Soren and attended by the departmental minister Banna Gupta, who is also the health minister.

“The state government has taken a historical decision of paying Rs 1 lakh to the families of those who die in road accidents,” Gupta said, adding the amount will be given by the disaster management department.

Asked when the decision would come into effect, special secretary in disaster management department, Manish Tiwari, said: “This (the decision to pay the ex gratia amount) needs approval from the state cabinet, which is expected to be obtained soon.”

Asked whether the ex gratia recipients have to be below the poverty line, Tiwari said: “The next of the kin of anyone who dies in a road accident will be eligible for the payment, irrespective of their financial status.”

The relevant rules would be formed shortly that will have certain restrictions and those who get involved and die in road accidents for drink driving are not supposed to qualify for the payment, Tiwari said. He said the payment of ex gratia would be done only after receiving favourable reports from competent authorities such as the police.

Like many other states, Jharkhand also records a large number of deaths, numbering over 3,000, due to road accidents every year.

According to data available with the road transport department, there were 4,932 road accidents in 2016, in which 3,027 people died.

In 2017, 3,256 people died in 5,198 road accidents, while there were 3,542 deaths due to 5,394 accidents in 2018 and 3,800 fatalities in 5,215 accidents in 2019.

Till October this year, 2,294 people have died due to 3,366 road accidents in the state.