(1.) BEING aggrieved by the finding that the Electricity Board, as a principal employer, is liable to pay compensation, the present appeals have been filed. Since all the appeals have arisen out of the same accident, they are taken up together for joint disposal.
(2.) IT is the case of the respondents/claimants, that when deceased, viz., Ramayee, W/o. Veerappan (claimant in W.C. No. 212 of 2002), Kamala, M/o. N. Murugesan (claimant in W.C. No. 39 of 2002), Komalam, W/o. Balakrishnan (claimant in W.C. No. 304 of 2001) and P. Latha, D/o. Lakshmi (claimant in W.C. No. 213 of 2002) were engaged as workmen with Triple 'M' Engineering Contractor, Mettur Dam, on 27.1.2001, they sustained injuries, in an accident, which arose out of and in the course of employment, resulting in their death. According to them, while they were collecting coal from a heap of waste coal, it suddenly slided on them and in the result, they died. At the time of accident, they were aged 42,30, 33 and 19 years respectively and were paid salary of Rs.50/-, Rs. 150/-, Rs. 150/- and Rs. 80/- per day respectively. Legal representatives of the deceased have claimed compensation for their death.
(3.) THE third respondent-Insurance Company has denied the manner of accident and they further submitted that only the Electricity Board has to pay compensation.