New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Zakir Ali (Md. ) & Anr.
2012-09-28
SUBHASIS TALAPATRA
body2012
DigiLaw.ai
JUDGMENT Subhasis Talapatra, J. 1. Heard Mr. J. Singh, learned senior counsel assisted by Ms. B.M. Chhetri, learned counsel appearing for the appellant as well as Mr. D.K. Saikia, learned counsel appearing for the respondent No. 1. This is an appeal filed under Section 30 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923, now Employees' Compensation Act, 1923 by the New India Assurance Co. Ltd. against the judgment and award dated 31.05.2005 as passed in W.C. Case No. 244 of 2003 by the Commissioner, Workmen's Compensation, Guwahati. 2. At the time of admitting the appeal no substantial question of law was formulated as required under Section 30(1) of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923. But from the memorandum of appeal, it appears that the following substantial question of law is involved in this appeal: Whether the award has been assessed in defiance to the provisions of Section 4(i)(c)(ii) read with the explanation below of the Workmen's Compensation Act 1923? 3. Mr. J. Singh, learned senior counsel submitted that the entire assessment is based on surmise and without any evidence and as such the assessment is perverse and unsustainable in law. 4. It appears that a qualified medical practitioner, namely, Dr. Dulal Sarkar, who appeared as the PW-2 before the Commissioner, Workmen's Compensation has assessed the disability at 45 per cent and the corresponding loss of earning capacity at 40 per cent. From the Exbt.5 document it appears that the claimant-workman suffered fractures in the lower end of the humorous of left side apart other minor injuries. 5. This Court has critically examined the deposition of the PW-2 who categorically stated that he issued the certificate, the Exbt.5, after examination of the workman. Even though the PW-2 admitted that he did not ascertain the recovery of the injury after doing the X-ray but on physical examination he came to the said assessment. But no question has been put to the PW-2 as to whether he has considered the injuries in the Schedule-I as appended to the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923 at the time of making the assessment of the disability or assessing the loss of corresponding earning capacity. 6. Mr. D.K. Saikia, learned counsel for the workman-respondent submitted that there is no infirmity in the finding as the qualified medical practitioner has assessed and aided the Commissioner for Workmen's Compensation for assessing the physical disability and the corresponding loss of earning.
6. Mr. D.K. Saikia, learned counsel for the workman-respondent submitted that there is no infirmity in the finding as the qualified medical practitioner has assessed and aided the Commissioner for Workmen's Compensation for assessing the physical disability and the corresponding loss of earning. Therefore, the objection as raised by Mr. Singh, learned senior counsel for the appellant has no substance at all. 7. On appreciation of the rival contention, this Court finds that the Commissioner, Workmen's Compensation by taking the aid of the qualified medical practitioner has assessed the loss of earning and as such the said finding is not required to be interfered with. As a result, the assessment of compensation made by the Commissioner, Workmen's Compensation, Guwahati is affirmed by this Court. However, the said award shall carry interest @ 7 1/2% in view of the decision of the Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. Vs. Mohd. Nasir & Anr. as reported in (2009) 6 SCC 280 from the date of filing of the claim-petition till the date of adjudication i.e. 21.05.2005 and thereafter @ 12% till the payment is made. The appellant is directed to pay the entire sum, if not already paid, before the Commissioner, Workmen's Compensation with interest within a period of one month from today. For the reasons as aforesaid, the appeal stands dismissed with modification in the rate of interest. However, there shall not be any order as to costs. Send down the LCRs forthwith. Appeal dismissed