As many as 82% of beggars with physical disabilities are victims of road accidents in Bangladesh, a recent survey by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) has revealed.
The survey was conducted in Dhamrai, Savar, Ashulia, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Manikganj (Aricha and Paturia ferries), Rajbari (Goalanda ferries), Jessore, Jhenaidah and Kushtia areas, including 19 places in Dhaka, from February 2018 to March 2021, said a press release on Wednesday.
According to the survey, in almost all countries of the world, third-party risk insurance is mandatory for motor vehicle accident victims, and compensation is paid through this insurance.
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In Bangladesh, the Motor Vehicle Ordinance Act-1983 made third-party risk insurance compulsory for motor vehicles, with the District and Sessions Judge's Court assigned as the claim tribunal to ensure compensation for victims.
However, there are no instances of people receiving compensation through this act, according to the statement.
Although the insurance companies took regular premiums, they were not interested in paying compensation, the statement added.
As the government did not take any action against them, poor people injured in road accidents had turned to begging.
On this pretext, the government has abolished third-party risk insurance for motor vehicles in the Road Transport Act 2018 and has set up a trust fund, read the statement.