XN000022-1983-11-08 — Page 7

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1983

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HELP TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS

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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PAID OUT $15 MILLION TO HELP TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.

THE PAYMENTS WERE MADE UNDER THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) SCHEME ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

DURING THE APRIL-SEPTEMBER PERIOD, THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 3 414 APPLICATIONS UNDER THE TAVA SCHEME.

IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, NEARLY $33 MILLION WAS PAID OUT AND 7 570 APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE WERE RECEIVED.

+THERE HAS BEEN AN UPWARD TREND IN THE OVERALL APPLICATION RATE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS BECAUSE OF PUBLICITY, RELAXATION OF THE SICK-LEAVE REQUIREMENT AND OUR OUTREACHING EFFORTS, SAID THE HEAD OF THE TAVA SECTION, MR SIU KING-CHIU,

PAYMENT RATES FOR PERSONAL INJURIES AND DEATH UNDER THE SCHEME WERE INCREASED BY ABOUT 20 PER CENT IN JULY THIS YEAR.

THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT FOR DEATH GRANTS INVOLVING THE LOSS OF SOLE WAGE-EARNERS HAS BEEN RAISED FROM $26 700 TO $33 150 AND THE MINIMUM AMOUNT FOR INJURY GRANTS HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM $480 TO $570 FOR THREE DAYS OF SICK LEAVE.

THE TAVA SCHEME, WHICH REQUIRES NO MEANS TEST, PROVIDES QUICK CASH RELIEF FOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THE IR DEPENDANTS REGARDLESS OF WHO WAS AT FAULT IN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT, BUT IT MUST HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE.

APPLICANTS MUST BE MADE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE ACCIDENT AT THE SWD'S TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SECTION AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 14TH FLOOR, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY DIALLING 5-779874 OR 5-7903650.

HISTORICAL EXHIBITION TO HIGHLIGHT FESTIVAL

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A $1 000 BANKNOTE, DESIGNED MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO BUT NEVER ISSUED, AND A TIME CAPSULE LAID IN 1934 BENEATH THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NOW DEMOLISHED HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK BUILDING WILL BE AMONG HUNDREDS OF HISTORICAL ITEMS ON DISPLAY IN AN EXHIBITION.

THE SIX-DAY EXHIBITION, WHICH WILL HIGHLIGHT THE MONTH-LONG CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL, WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 10) FROM 9 AM TO 8 PM DAILY AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION GALLERY.

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