On 10 April 2017, the Lok Sabha passed the Motor Vehicles Act Amendment Bill 2016, under which the compensation for death in hit and run cases was increased from Rs 25,000 to what minimum amount?

Introduction / Context:

This question relates to legislative changes introduced through the Motor Vehicles Act Amendment Bill 2016, passed by the Lok Sabha on 10 April 2017. One of the important features of this amendment was an increase in compensation for victims of road accidents, especially in hit and run cases. Keeping track of key numerical changes in such social welfare provisions is common in general awareness sections.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The earlier compensation for death in hit and run cases was Rs 25,000.

- The amendment increased this amount.

- The options give different possible new minimum compensation figures.

- The question specifically mentions death, not injury.

Concept / Approach:

The Motor Vehicles Act Amendment Bill 2016 significantly enhanced compensation in hit and run cases. For death, the compensation was increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh. Exam questions usually ask for this new minimum amount as a direct fact. Recognising that the figure is Rs 2 lakh, not the higher figures given in some options, is enough to answer correctly.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Many government press releases and policy summaries specify that compensation in hit and run cases was increased to Rs 2 lakh for death and Rs 50,000 for grievous injury. Remembering this pair of figures helps confirm that the correct answer for death is Rs 2 lakh, not the larger numbers sometimes used as distractors.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Rs 5 lakh or more is higher than the revised minimum compensation for hit and run death cases under this amendment.

Rs 10 lakh or more mixes up the figure associated with general accident claims with the special fixed amount for hit and run cases, leading to confusion.

Rs 15 lakh or more has no direct connection with the specific provision described in the question.

Rs 1 lakh or more understates the enhancement and does not match the officially notified increase from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh.

Common Pitfalls:

A typical mistake is to confuse different compensation schemes and caps, such as those for general motor accident claims and those fixed specifically for hit and run incidents. Another pitfall is to assume that the highest number in the options is always correct. Carefully linking the exact figure Rs 2 lakh with hit and run death cases helps avoid these errors.

Final Answer:

Under the 2016 amendment, the compensation for death in hit and run cases was increased to a minimum of Rs 2 lakh.