NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to examine the feasibility of setting up Motor Accident Mediation Authority (MAMA) in every district by making necessary amendments in the Motor Vehicles Act so that road accident claims can be settled amicably at the earliest.
The top court, which observed that road accident is a “harsh reality” in India, said large number of accidents is giving “rise to phenomenal quantum jump” in claim cases, and methods like mediation is needed to be adopted for quick resolution of such disputes.
“Time is ripe now to have similar (mediation) mechanism for settling accident claims as well. Therefore, the suggestion of establishing MAMA is laudable. We recommend to the Government to examine the feasibility of setting up MAMA by making necessary amendments in the Motor Vehicles Act itself. In fact, the way mediation movement is catching up in this country, there is a dire need to enact Indian Mediation Act as well,” a bench of Justices A K Sikri and S A Nazeer said.
The top court said that till the time such an amendment is made by Parliament, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) should take up this work as a project and a complete report or module should be made within two months about the functioning of Motor Accident Mediation Cell (MAMC). (AGENCIES)
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