Cheques amounting to Rs 675 000 were remitted to eight beneficiaries by the Insurance Industry Compensation Fund (IICF) under the Hit and Run Sub-Fund, to compensate and support victims of hit and run accidents.
The cheque remittance ceremony was held this morning in presence of the Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Mr Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, the Chief Executive of the Financial Services Commission (FSC), Mr. Dhanesswurnath Thakoor, the Chairperson of the IICF, Mrs Kivisha Goodar, at the FSC House in Ebène.
In his address, Minister Seeruttun recalled that the fund was created in 2016 with the aim to provide financial assistance to victims of hit and run accidents who have no legal, monetary and other remedies. He indicated that 64 hit and run victims have already benefited from the IICF and some Rs 8.4 million has been disbursed to this end.
Government, he said, is trying to bring a relief to these victims and their families and at the same time, contribute to enhance their quality of life. “There is considerable physical, psychological, and financial damage caused to victims and their families in hit and run accidents”, he said adding that it is important to sensitise road users.
The Minister urged road users to be more courteous, cautious and vigilant so as to prevent unnecessary accidents. However, he observed that there has been a decrease of 17.6% in the number of fatal accidents in the year 2021 in comparison to 2020.
Speaking of the IICF, he informed that payment of compensation is made in respect of personal injury suffered in hit and run accidents to the victims or their heirs in case of deaths and it is the Managing Committee who determines the amount of compensation to be paid in accordance to the Regulations.
Minister Seeruttun thus lauded the collaboration of police officers, medical staff and other stakeholders who work hand in hand to conclude eligibility of the beneficiaries adding that the prescribed delay for claim applications has been extended from two to five years to cater for more victims of hit and run accidents.
