In the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh F.A.O. No. 3268 of 2007 (O&M) Date of decision: October 22, 2009 Paramjit Kaur and others .. Appellants Vs. Randhir Singh and others .. Respondents Coram: Hon'ble Mr. Justice A.N. Jindal Present: Mr. M.K. Singla, Advocate for the appellants. None for the respondent No.1. Mr. Harsh Aggarwal, Advocate for the respondents No.2 & 3. A.N. Jindal, J CM No.15916-CII of 2007 For the reasons mentioned in the application, delay in filing the appeal is condoned. Civil Misc. application is allowed. FAO No.3268 of 2007 Bhagel Singh aged about 35 years died in a motor vehicular accident, as a result of which claim petition was preferred which was ultimately accepted and compensation to the tune of Rs.2,79,500/- along with interest @ 6% per annum was awarded by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Sangrur, (herein referred as 'the Tribunal') vide award dated 2.3.2006. While harping for enhancement of compensation, it has been urged that the deceased was a Palledar, aged about 35 years, having four children and a widow, his income as determined from the evidence comes to Rs.2900/- per month. The court could well take judicial notice of the fact that a Palledar in the market is a skilled labourer, therefore, could earn not less than Rs.4000/- per month. In any case, after deducting the period when they could not be assigned any job, his income could not be assessed less than Rs.2900/- per month. It also appears that keeping in view the number of the dependents, the Tribunal has fallen in error while deducting his own dependency to the extent of 1/3rd, instead of 1/4th and multiplier of 16 F.A.O. No. 3268 of 2007 -2- *** instead of 15 in this case as has been held by the Apex Court in case Sarla Verma and others vs. Delhi Transport Corporation and another, 2009 (3) RCR (Civil) 77 that in case the number of dependents are 4 to 6, the Tribunal should deduct 1/4th on account of his own dependency and contribution towards family should be 3/4th. Again with regard to multiplier, it was observed in Sarla Verma's case (supra) that in case the person dies in the age group of 31-35, the multiplier of 16 should be applied. In view of the above, the appeal is partly allowed. Now the claimants would be entitled to receive compensation to the tune of Rs.4,17,600/- along with compensation awarded on other heads which would be deposited by the company within 45 days from the date of receipt of copy of the order, failing which they would be liable to pay interest on the enhanced amount at the same rate as awarded by the Tribunal. October 22, 2009 (A.N. Jindal) deepak Judge