RAM PRASAD Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THESE two appeals, one by the claimant, who is the employee, and another by the Railway, who is the employer, have been filed against the award dated 20th July, 2005 passed by Commissioner, Workmens Compensation, Deoghar in W.C. Case No. 3 of 2004. The claimant -appellant has filed this appeal for enhancement of compensation whereas the employer, Union of India through Railway, is against the award of penalty for delayed payment of compensation.

(2.) THE disputed facts are that the claimant -appellant was employed as Khalasi in the Eastern Railway. While he was on duty and doing repair work of wiring on electric pole, he fell down from the top of the ladder and met with an accident. He was hospitalized and got treated, but he lost his lower limbs causing permanent disablement. The Commissioner, Workmens Compensation taking the wages of the claimant, applied the provisions of Section 4 of the Act and assessed the compensation amount at Rs. 63,964/ -. However, the Commissioner held that because of the delayed payment of compensation the claimant -appellant is also entitled to get penalty which was assessed Rs. 31,982/ -and also interest @ 9%.

(3.) AS noticed above, the compensation amount was assessed in the manner provided in Section 4 of the Act and, therefore, the compensation amount cannot be enhanced.