HC sets aside MV tribunal's order; enhances compensation to

: Services rendered by a housewife are indispensable and should not be undervalued, the Madras High Court bench has observed while setting aside a Motor Vehicle Compensation Tribunal's order pegging the value of her services at Rs 12,000 per anum, and enhanced compensation from Rs 1.62 lakh to Rs 6.86 lakh.
Justice S Vimala,allowing the cross appeal by a man,whose 31-year old wife died in an accident in 2004 at Tiruchuli, regretted that the tribunal had not considered the services rendered by her. Though there was evidence to show she was also doing textile business, it had not been accepted as proof, which was not proper.

The Judge said the services of a housewife are often neglected, forgotten and devalued. It was her reponsibility to ensure the family was happy, healthy and prosperous. The hard earned money of the husband had to be spent judiciously. She had to remain a role model for her children; cook hygienically and nutritiously so as to ensure health ambience in the home.
The tribunal also failed to note that when a child loses its mother at the age of five, it loses a good guide.
"The tribunal, unmindful of the consequences of the death, has quantified the compensation in a way which nobody can tolerate," the Judge said.

In the abensence of such data to calculate the income of a housewife, who did multifarious activities, there should be some modest estimation.In this case even on a modest estimate, her income should be estimated at Rs 3,000 per month,the Judge said and enhanced the compensation.
The Judge rejected the contention of the Medical officer of the Primary Health Centre of Tiruchuli who contended that their vehicle was not at all involved in the accident,and they were not bound to pay any compensation, saying the Tribunal had rightly decided that the PHC vehicle was involved.