UNION OF INDIA OWNING SOUTHERN RAILWAY REPRESENTED BY ITS GENERAL MANAGER Vs. THIRU AROORAN SUGARS LIMITED REPRESENTED BY ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR G RAJAGOPAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Aggrieved by the Order dated 07.04.2014 made in O.A. No. (1) 2 of 2010 on the file of the Railway Claims Tribunal, Chennai Bench, directing Union of India, Owning Southern Railway and East Central Railway, both represented by their respective General Managers, to pay the compensation amount claimed by the claimant, the present Civil Miscellaneous Appeal No. 2222 of 2014 has been filed under Section 23 of the Railway Claims Tribunal Act.

(2.) While directing the appellants to pay the compensation amount of Rs.9,36,59,624/- to the respondent, the Tribunal has awarded interest at the rate of 6% per annum for the period from 22.09.2010 to 23.01.2014 and at the rate of 12% per annum from 23.01.2014 to till the date of order viz., 07.04.2014 and future interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum for the period from 07.04.2014 till the date of payment. Therefore, questioning the rate of interest awarded by the Tribunal at 6.5% and 7.5%, Cross Objection has been filed by the respondent stating that the Tribunal ought to have directed the appellants to pay uniform rate of interest of 12% per annum from the date of filing the Claim Petition till the date of disbursement.

(3.) As the appeal and the cross objection arise out of the very same order dated 07.04.2014 passed in O.A. No. (1) 2 of 2010 on the file of the Railway Claims Tribunal, Chennai Bench, they are taken up for hearing together and are disposed of by this common judgment. For the sake of convenience, parties to this appeal as well as cross objection are referred to as they are arrayed in the Civil Miscellaneous Appeal as 'appellants' and 'respondent'.