PALA RAM Vs. PUNJAB ROADWAYS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal by the claimant has been filed against the award of the learned Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal-I, Kangra at Dharamshala (H.P.) in M.A.C. Petition No. 54-G/II of 1998 decided on 1.3.2001 whereby the claimant has been awarded only Rs. 7,000 as compensation and, therefore, this appeal.

(2.) First of all I shall deal with the preliminary objection raised by the learned counsel for the respondents that the appeal is not maintainable as the amount awarded is less than Rs. 10,000. Section 173 (2) of the Motor Vehicles Act reads as follows:

(3.) Mr. Sharma relies upon this section to submit that the disputed amount being less than Rs. 10,000, the appeal is not maintainable. Reliance is also placed on the judgment of this court in Mittar Singh v. Ashish Kumar, 1998 ACJ 1200 (HP) and the judgment of Karnataka High Court in Ramaiah Setty v. Prakash, 1991 (1)TAC 478.