The Transport Corporation has filed this Civil Miscellaneous Appeal, challenging the Judgment and Decree dated 11.04.2008 made in M.C.O.P.No.1173 of 2003 on the file of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (VI Court of Small Causes), Chennai, which is pending in SR stage from the year 2009 onwards, i.e. exactly from 12.06.2009.
2. Despite pendency of appeal in SR stage for 8 years, no steps have been taken to get it numbered.
3. Since this appeal is pending for 8 years at the SR stage, it is taken up for disposal at the SR stage itself.
4. In respect of the injuries due to the accident, that had taken place on 28.07.2002, the injured made a claim of Rs.1,50,000/-. As against the claim made, the Tribunal has awarded a sum of Rs.50,000/- as compensation.
5. The compensation awarded by the Tribunal is only a sum of Rs.50,000/-, which may appear to be excessive for the year 2008, but not as of now, that is in the year 2017. The compensation awarded is hardly adequate in the face of spiraling inflation and surge in cost of living. Inflation is naturally compounding, and a relentless destroyer of the value of money. The same is supported by the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Rathi Menon v. Union of India 2001 (2) KLT 12: (2001 AIR SCW 1074), wherein it has been held that when injuries occurred due to accidental falling of a person, considering the value of money etc., compensation shall be payable on the basis of rules prevailing at the time of making the final order for payment of compensation and not on the money value which prevailed on the date of accident.
6. In view of the same, the amount awarded by the Tribunal cannot be said to be excessive. Therefore, the Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is dismissed at the SR stage itself, confirming the award passed by the Tribunal. No costs. Consequently, connected M.P.No.1 of 2009 is closed.
7. The Transport Corporation shall deposit the entire award amount, less the amount already deposited, if any, along with interest at the rate of 7.5% p.a. from the date of petition till the date of deposit, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this Judgment. The Claimant would have attained majority as of now. Hence, the Tribunal shall permit the claimant to withdraw the amount on production of necessary documents with regard to age proof.
04.01.2017 lbm/ogy To:
The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, (VI Court of Small Causes), Chennai Dr.S.VIMALA, J.
lbm/ogy C.M.A.No.SR.44644 of 2009 and M.P.No. 1 of 2009 04.01.2017