Judgment:
H.R. Panwar, J.
1. This appeal is directed against the award dated 19.2.1999 passed by learned Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (First), Jodhpur, (hereinafter referred to as 'the Tribunal') in Motor Accident Claim Case No. 93/1996, whereby the Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs. 1,16,000/- as compensation in favour of appellant-claimants, parents of deceased Jai Ram.
2. Aggrieved and dissatisfied by quantum of compensation assessed and awarded by the Tribunal, the appellant-claimants filed this appeal seeking enhancement of the award.
3. In this appeal the short point involved is what should be proper compensation in case of death of a young person of 20 years of age. On 29.4.1994-, deceased Jai Ram, who was a labourer, was going on a tractor, which met with an accident. Due to this accident, Jai Ram received injuries and ultimately succumbed to the injuries. He was 20 years of age and used to earn Rs. 2,000/- per month by working as labourer the parents of the deceased i.e. father and mother are about 50 and 45 years of age respectively. The Tribunal computed the compensation on the basis that there was some talk between owner of the tractor and the claimants regarding settlement of the claim for a sum of Rs. one lac, though the settlement could not be arrived at, as the proposal of the owner ultimately did not mature.
4. It is settled law that the multiplier method is logically sound and legally well established to calculate compensation. In the instant case, the multiplier is to be determined keeping in view, the age of the claimants as the deceased was a bachelor. The claimants produced evidence showing that the income of the deceased was Rs. 2,000/- per month.
5. Taking into consideration the fact that the deceased would have raised his income in the coming years as also his contribution towards the family, I consider it proper to determine his contribution to the claimants, who are parents of the deceased at Rs. 1,000/- per month. Thus, dependency comes to Rs. 12,000/- (Rs. 1,000 x 12 = Rs. 12,000/-). In my opinion, keeping in view the age of parents, appropriate multiplier should be 14 years purchase factor. Thus, total amount under the head loss of income comes to Rs. 1,68,000/- (Rs. 12,000 x 14). A sum of Rs. 10,000/- be added for loss of love, and affection and consortium and Rs. 2,000/- for funeral expenses. Thus, the total compensation comes to Rs. 1,80,000/-.
6. The Tribunal awarded interest at the rate of 12% per annum. In view of the latest Judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Kaushnuma Begum (Smt.) and Ors. v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. and Ors., : [2001]1SCR8 , the Hon'ble Supreme Court awarded interest at the rate of nine per cent per annum, which is just and proper in the fact and circumstances of the present case.
7. In this view of the matter, the apeal is allowed to the extent that the compensation awarded by the Tribunal is enhanced from Rs. 1,16,000/- to Rs. 1,80,000/- alongwith interest at the rate of nine per cent per annum from the date of application till realisation. No order as to costs.