BENGALURU: Karnataka will become the first state in India to come out with a legislation providing protection to those who rush to rescue road accident victims.A bill to this effect, titled, The Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation during Emergency Situations) Bill, will be tabled in the coming legislature session. A decision in this regard was taken during the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.The move comes two years after the Supreme Court emphasized framing guidelines to protect Good Samaritans or bystanders who immediately reach out to the aid of victims of road accidents. The SC’s directive prompted the Union road transport ministry to come out with standard operating procedures pertaining to relief in case of road accidents in January.“However, Karnataka will be the first state in the country to come out with a legislation that prevents Good Samaritans from getting embroiled in protracted police probes and prosecution processes,” said law minister T B Jayachandra.The state is of the view that a large percentage of road accident victims can be saved with immediate medical care . This can be achieved by motivating people to offer help to accident victims without worrying about any criminal or civil liability.“There have been several cases where people have been found busy clicking photos or making videos of the victims, instead of saving them by administering first-aid or rushing them to nearby hospitals. Three months ago, I was travelling on a highway, when I reached an accident spot. A truck, following brake failure, had run over people who were standing at a bus stop nearby. What shocked me was the reaction of the bystanders. They were dissuading others from reaching out to the victims for fear of getting trapped in legal wrangles. With this legislation, we want to make it clear that those helping accident victims won’t be subjected to harassment from police or be forced to attend courts,” said Jayachandra.The minister said that under the proposed legislation, Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for payment towards expenses incurred by Good Samaritans.OTHER DECISIONS* To give 40,410 sqft of land, next to Krishna Flour Mills in Bengaluru, to the JD(S) on lease for 33 years with effect from March 3, 2020* To have four members in the interview panel of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). While two members will be from KPSC, the remaining two will be experts from outside who know Kannada language* To open centres for gastroenterology sciences and organ transplantation in Bengaluru* Approval to directly purchase 225 hectares, including 177.23 hectares of plantations, near Sakleshpur for Yettinahole project* To regulate transfer of forest department officials through counselling