IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED:20.11. 2008 CORAM:- Hon'ble Mr. Justice R. SUDHAKAR C.M.A.No.842 of 2008 and M.P.No.2 of 2008 The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Villupuram - Division I, villupuram .. Appellant Vs. Rajangam .. Respondent Appeal filed under Section 173 of the M.V.Act against the award and decree dated 28.09.2006 in MCOP No.510 of 2005 on the file of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, (Principal Subordinate Court), Virudhachalam. . . . For Appellant : Mr. V.RAmesh For respondent : Mr.S.Udayakumar . . . JUDGMENT
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation has filed this appeal challenging the award dated 28.09.2006 in MCOP No.510 of 2005 on the file of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, (Principal Subordinate Court), Virudhachalam.
2. It is a case of injury. On 29.02.2008, this Court granted stay subject to the condition that the appellant Transport Corporation deposits the entire compensation awarded by the Tribunal. It is stated by the counsel for the appellant that the above said conditional order has been complied with on 04.09.2008. The claimant has filed a petition in M.P.No.2 of 2008 seeking permission to withdraw the amount deposited by the appellant to the credit of M.C.O.P.No.510 of 2005 on the file of the Motor accident Claims Tribunal(Principal Sub Court) Virudhuchalam. At request of counsel for both parties and also considering the nature of the award, the appeal itself is taken up for final disposal.
3. According to the claimant, the accident in this case happened on 26.12.2005. The injured claimant Rajangam, aged about 30 years, the owner of a tyre Cart was riding his bullock cart on a main road when it was hit by the bus belonging to the appellant Transport Corporation, driven by its driver in a rash and negligent manner. In that accident, the said Rajangam suffered fracture of 7th and 8th rib bone. He was treated at the Government General Hospital, Virudhachalam and thereafter at Cuddalore Government Headquarters Hospital. He claimed a sum of Rs.2,00,000/- as compensation stating that his income is Rs.3,000/- per month.
4. In support of the claim, the claimant was examined as P.W.1 and Doctor Palani was examined as P.W.2.Documents Exs.P1 to P11 were marked. Ex.P.1 is copy of the First Information Report. Ex.P.2 is the copy of the report of the Motor Vehicle Inspector. Ex.P.3 is the copy of the Accident Register. Ex.P.4 is the Certificate given by Cuddalore Government Hospital. Ex.P.5 is the Patient receipt. Ex.P.6 is the X-ray. Ex.P.7 is the Post Mortem Certificate of the bullock. Ex.P.8 is the wound certificate for the other bullock. Ex.P.9 is the receipt for payment of repairs to the cart. Ex.P.10 is the disability certificate. Ex.P.11 is the X-Ray. On the side of the respondent, the driver of the appellant Transport Corporation bus was examined as R.W.1. No documentary evidence was let in on the side of the appellant/respondent before the Tribunal.
5. The finding of negligence on the part of the driver of the bus and the liability of the appellant Transport Corporation to compensate the claimant is not disputed by the learned counsel for the appellant and hence, the same is confirmed. The only contention raised is on the quantum of compensation.
6. The Doctor assessed the disability at 32% under Ex.P.10. The income of the injured claimant was taken as Rs.3,000/- per month. Considering the nature of injury, disability assessed by the Doctor, the Tribunal granted the following amounts as compensation with 9 % interest:
Sl.No.
Head Amount granted by the Tribunal 1 Permanent Disability Rs. 32,000/- 2 Loss of income for 3 months Rs. 10,000/- 3. Future loss of earning capacity Rs. 25,000/- 4 Attendant charges Rs. 5,000/- 5 Pain & Suffering, Rs. 10,000/- 6. Extra nourishment Rs 5,000/- 7. Transport expenses Rs 10,000/- 8 Cost of two bullocks Rs. 34,000/- 9 Damage caused to bullock cart Rs. 16,600/- Total Rs 1,47,600
7. As stated earlier, the only contention raised by the learned counsel for the appellant is with regard to the higher compensation granted for pain and suffering, loss of income during the period of treatment. He further stated that the Tribunal is not justified in granting Rs.25,000/- towards future loss of earning capacity, when there is no material or evidence to show that the claimant’s earning capacity has been affected due to injury which has healed. He pleaded that 9% interest should be reduced since the accident in this case happened in the year 2005 and the award was passed in 2006.
8. Learned counsel for the claimant, on the other hand, stated that the injured claimant is 30 years old and because of the fracture of rib bones, his earning capacity has been affected to some extent as he will not be able to lift heavy objects to load on the bullock cart and the nature of injury is such that the compensation awarded is just and reasonable and need not be reduced. The excess amount, if any, could be adjusted on other heads.
9. In view of the Full Bench decision of this Court in the case of Cholan Roadways Corporation Ltd., -v.- Ahmed Thambi reported in 2006(4)C.T.C. 433, the award of the Tribunal in respect of loss of earning capacity in the future for the above stated injury cannot be justified. When the disability has been assessed and compensation has been awarded separately on that head, claimant will not be entitled to compensation under the head of future loss of earning capacity. There is no basis for the said compensation. Therefore, the sum of Rs.25,000/- awarded towards loss of future earning capacity is set aside. The other amounts are just and reasonable considering the age, occupation and injury suffered by the claimant.
10. Since the accident in this case happened in the year 2005 and the award was passed in the year 2006, and also in view of the decision of the Apex Court in the case of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Vs Rajapriya reported in 2005(3) CTC 373, the interest is reduced to 7.5% from 9%.
11. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the appellant that pursuant to the interim order of this Court dated 20.02.2008, the entire compensation amount has been deposited and the stay has been made absolute on 04.09.2008.
12. In the result, the Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is partly allowed as follows:
i) The award of the Tribunal is reduced to 1,22,600/- from Rs.1,47,600/-
ii) The claimant is entitled to withdraw the amount as per the order of this Court with interest at 7.5% .
iii)Excess amount in deposit can be withdrawn by the appellant with accrued interest. No costs.
iv) Connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
Index:No Internet:yes 20.11.2008 PAL To The Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Principal Sub Court. Virudhachalam R.SUDHAKAR,J. PAL . CMA No. 842 of 2008 DT.20.11.2008