In the High Court of Punjab & Haryana, Chandigarh FAO No. 1104 of 2002 Date of Decision:December 15,2008 Sudesh Verma and others ...........Appellants Versus Upinder Kumar and others ..........Respondents Coram: Hon'ble Mrs.Justice Sabina Present: Ms.Ekta Thakur, Advocate for the appellants. Mr. Ravinder Arora Advocate for the New India Assurance Company Ltd. * * * Sabina, J. This is an appeal filed against the award dated 17.10.2001 passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Chandigarh (hereinafter referred to as `The Tribunal'). Vide the impugned award, a sum of Rs. 7,20,000/- was allowed to the claimants towards compensation on account of death of Rishi Pal Verma in the motor vehicle accident. All the respondents were held liable for payment of compensation jointly and severally. Claimants have filed this appeal for enhancement of compensation. After hearing the learned counsel for the parties, I am of the opinion that this appeal deserves to be allowed. Rishi Pal Verma (deceased) was working as Junior Engineer in the department of Electricity, Sub Division No. 9, Sector 43, Chandigarh. His gross salary was Rs. 13,185/- per month at the time of accident. Learned Tribunal treated the net income of the deceased as Rs. 10,000/- per month after income tax and compulsory deductions. The said F. A. O. No.1104 of 2002 -2- assessment by the learned Tribunal calls for no interference. Hence, the annual income of the deceased was taken as Rs. 1,20,000/- after making a deduction of 1/3rd cut out of the said amount towards personal expenses of the deceased. The annual dependency of the claimants was taken as Rs. 80,000/- per month. The age of the deceased was 51 years at the time of accident. Learned Tribunal, however, erred in applying the multiplier of `9' in view of the age of the deceased. The relevant multiplier was `11'. The compensation, thus, comes to Rs. 80,000 x 11 = Rs, 8,80,000/-. Claimants were not allowed any amount on account of funeral expenses and loss of consortium by the learned Tribunal. Accordingly, the claimants are allowed Rs.10,000/- towards funeral expenses and loss of consortium. Thus, the total compensation works out to Rs. 8,90,000/-. This appeal is, accordingly, allowed and the amount of compensation allowed by the learned Tribunal is enhanced from Rs. 7,20,000/- to Rs.8,90,000/-. The enhanced amount shall be shared by the claimants equally. No order as to costs. (Sabina) December 15, 2008 Judge arya